Industry

KTB seeks incentive deals with airlines, hotels to promote domestic tourism

lamu

A beachfront hotel in Lamu: The objective of this campaign is to encourage Kenyans and foreigners resident in Kenya to travel more often. PHOTO | FILE

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has written to hotel owners and other players in the hospitality industry seeking subsidised all-inclusive packages that will promote domestic travel in the country.

The planned “Jaza Ndege” promotion will see the State agency partner with a variety of local air carriers including Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Safarilink, Fly540 and Air Kenya for formulation of joint packages with local hotels in destinations such as Malindi, Mombasa, Diani, Lamu, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Nanyuki, Samburu, Eldoret and Kisumu.

“This promotion shall be heavily driven by radio - Capital Fm, Classic, Nation Fm, Kiss 100, Inooro Fm, Hope Fm among others where presenters will promote the packages during the morning and evening drive shows where a competition will be held on who fills the ‘tourists’ planes soonest,” it said.

KTB said participating hotels, lodges, tented camps as well as urban hospitality facilities will have their services and offers published in the dailies highlighting the participating carrier and accommodation provider.

“The objective of this campaign is to encourage Kenyans and foreigners resident in Kenya to travel more often and for extended periods of time within the local destination,” it added.

KTB said the domestic holiday offers once received will be posted on their website where locals will be engaged with the sole aim of promoting low season travels.

The move is aimed at enabling hotels to operate fully without the risk of closure owing to low international tourist arrivals.