Kenya targets Indian and Australian tourists

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has embarked on a reassurance campaign to woo more tourists from India and Australia. A statement by the tourism marketer says the media sessions will assure the various tourism markets that Kenya is safe to visit and invest.

KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa told Indian stakeholders in New Delhi that travelling to Kenya is still safe. "The Government has taken adequate precautionary measures and there is no restriction to travel to holiday destination resorts at the Coast, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Mt Kenya and Laikipia for both safari and wildlife excursions,” he said.

He noted that Kenya is blessed with breathtaking scenery, wildlife and an array of culture in addition to exquisite cuisine and hospitable people. Ndegwa noted that despite various concerns, the fall in India’s tourist arrivals during the January– September period was less by five per cent. More than 42,910 Indian tourists visited Kenya in the first nine months of 2014. KTB maintains that India is still the biggest market in Asia for Kenya and fifth largest source market into Kenya globally.

“Kenya is coming up with various promotions and activities to highlight the local destinations in the Indian market to attract the ardent travelers seeking to be up close with nature and wildlife,” he said. “India is an important source market of Kenya as a tourist destination. We are here to reassure the travelers that Kenya is open for business and is very safe.”

Ndegwa said a number of key global events like the World PR Forum 2015, World Skal Congress 2015, the World Conference in PR in emerging Economies and the UN World Trade Organization will be held in Kenya.