June 19, 2015 Kenya Tourism Board 0

Kenya Comes Calling with High Profile Products & Services

Kenya expands the product portfolio for India market. Kenya Tourism Board concluded its travel trade interaction across three cities, which collectively witnessed participation of Indian travel trade delegates. The multi-city workshop commenced from Chandigarh on the 9th of March followed by, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad on the 11th & 13th of March 2015 respectively.

The B2B sessions were attended by Kenyan travel partners who updated the agents on the unique travel products in Kenya. The national carrier, Kenya Airways was airline partner for the workshop. African Quest Safaris, Big Five Tours & Safaris, Exclusive African Treasures, Golden Holidays Travel Group Kenya, Holiday Bazaar, Safari Trails, Serena Hotels, Silverbird Travel Plus, Somak Travel, Vintage Africa and Wildtrek Safaris were the representative partners of Kenya who participated in the workshop.

Despite various concerns the fall in Indian arrivals during January-September period as compared globally was less by 5%. During the period, 42,910 Indian tourists travelled to Kenya in the first nine months of the year 2014.

India still stands strong and is the biggest market in Asia for Kenya. And overall, India is the 5th largest source market. Kenya is coming up with various promotions and activities to highlight the destination in India and attract the ardent travelers wanting to be up close with nature and wildlife.

With India being one of the most prominent markets, the tourism board aspires to expand the diverse product offering of the destination through a gamut of integrated destination marketing initiatives.

Ms. Betty Ichan, Marketing Manager, Kenya Tourism Board said, “India is a very important market for us. Our motive in the workshop is to interact with the Travel trade and emphasize our interest in the Indian market. We will continue to aggressively market our products in the Indian market through various initiatives such as online training programme, joint ventures, one-to-one interactions with the travel trade, cinema campaigns, media FAM trips and consumer campaigns, etc “

Lucie Malu, Country Manager – India, Sri Lanka, Nepal & Bangladesh, Kenya Airways added, “KQ is launching an exciting new Summer Schedule in India with effect from 29th March 2015, offering 2 Daily flights between Mumbai & Nairobi. We will operate a mixed equipment of B787 and B738 equipment from Mumbai to Nairobi. Our new Dreamliners offers very spacious interiors with large view windows, Mood Lighting, State of the art entertainment systems & a Private lounge in Business class. In Nairobi, we have a new state of the art departure Terminal (Terminal 1A). This Terminal was finished last year and is exclusively used by Kenya Airways and its partner airlines. So a revamped airport, new increased baggage allowances and a brand new summer schedule speaks of a New Kenya Airways.”

Kenya delegates interfaced with the travel trade fraternity on a B2B platform with a view to exchange newly developed itineraries and enhanced product offerings designed especially for the Indian market. The private sector is also keen on investing and the market has witnessed an enhancement in the number of hotel chains attracting Indian travelers.

Lucky draw was held in all the three cities. Two winners from each city were given free ticket to explore Kenya. KTB with Kenya Airways will be organizing FAM trip for the lucky draw winners in the coming months. It will be a great opportunity for the travel agents to learn about the product and experience the diversity.

It is a country which has something for everyone. With the changing times also it has kept the cultural essence together. From the pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery, relaxation, it has more than one can ever expect from one single country to offer.