Industry

KTB woos tourist to northern circuit with camel derby

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Yare Camel Club entrance in Maralal where the camel derby was flagged off, and participants in an amateur race on August 25, 2012. PHOTOS | CHARLES KAMAU

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is using the Maralal Camel Derby scheduled for next week in Samburu County to open up the northern tourism circuit to both domestic and international tourists.

This year’s event kicks off from August 28 to 31 and KTB will leverage on it in its bid to diversifying the country’s tourism products.

“We are engaging counties, looking for areas of collaboration in a view of marketing Kenya as a preferred tourist destination,” said Muriithi Ndegwa, the KTB managing director.

He added that marketing and publicity campaigns have been organised to push tourists flow to the region during the derby.

“A part from showcasing the culture, the region is known for sceneries, wildlife, heritage and other attractions,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Among activities that will take place are amateur and professional camel races, bike competitions, marathon, cultural and culinary shows.

“This event is meant to pull the crowd and sports enthusiasts to the northern part of the country which has unexplored tourist attractions,” said the Samburu County Governor, Moses Kasaine Lenolkulal.

Prizes will be awarded to winners of different categories, while part of the money collected will be channeled towards helping the orphans and disabled in the community.

Last year, the three-day long annual event attracted both local and foreign participants from the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, India, Ghana, France, South Africa, Brazil, China, Poland, among others.

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