WILDLIFE CONNECTS INDIA AND KENYA

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Discover Kenya, Indian biz urged

 

Our Bureau / Chennai/ Bangalore February 17, 2006

 

 

 

Kenyan Tourist Board (KTB) is wooing Indian IT/BPO and ITeS companies

to choose Kenya as meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibition

(MICE) destination, in addition to being a leisure destination for

families.

 

A team of Kenyan Tourist Board officials, headed by its managing

director Ongong'a Achieng has been touring the country meeting big

ITPO companies in addition to the domestic travel companies, creating

awareness about the country.

 

Presently, Kenya receives a majority of visitors as free individual

travellers or as small leisure groups from India.

 

" We would like to sustain a higher growth from these segments by

undertaking numerous marketing initiatives, " he added.

 

Kenya had the highest-ever Indian arrivals of 32,030 in 2005, as

compared to 24,000 tourists in 2004. The destination is growing in its

popularity and the tourist board anticipates a growth of over 35 per

cent growth this year.

 

According to Achieng, India is the largest tourism revenue generator

for Kenya from Asia, ahead of China. By targetting India, Kenya plans

to encash its long standing historical and cultural ties to provide

customised tourism products.

 

For free individual travellers or small leisure groups, KTB on

Thursday announced 'Seven Safari Attractions' involving blue water,

balloon and microlite safari rides.

 

Seven Safari Attraction comprises wildlife, beach, adventure,

cultural, sport, scenic and specialist safaris. " The budget for

promoting 'Seven Safari Attractions' in the Indian market has been

doubled, indicating our seriousness and commitment to the market, "

said Achieng.

 

With connectivity being the issue, the tourist board along with Kenya

Airways is pushing for more flights to Nairobi from more Indian

cities, said Fred Okeyo, regional manager, emerging markets, Kenyan

Tourist Board.

 

The issue is being addressed bilaterally between two countries and is

expected to be cleared by the end of this year, he added.

 

Okeyo further said that KTB will offer diverse options other than

safari to Indian travellers, besides improving connectivity to give a

boost to tourist traffic to Kenya.