Kenya bets on Chinese to lift struggling tourism sector
Chinese actress Li Bingbing at the Samburu game reserve. The tourism board hopes to lure 100 Chinese tourists to Kenya every month. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
The Tourism Board has struck a deal with a Chinese tour company, Polaris Safari Ltd, to bring in at least 100 tourists every month during the low seasons.
China and India are turning into key markets for Kenya as arrivals from its traditional tourist sources dwindle.
Tourists from Kenya’s traditional source markets— United Kingdom, Australia and the US —have largely avoided the country after their governments issued travel advisories last year over security concerns.
Kenya is pegging its hopes on China as Western tourists continue to shun the country over travel advisories issued last year.
The Tourism Board has struck a deal with a Chinese tour company, Polaris Safari Ltd, to bring in at least 100 tourists every month during the low seasons.
The tour operator is banking on Kenya Airways’ direct flights from Guangzhou to Nairobi to boost Chinese tourist arrivals from the 31,486 recorded last year.
“With the direct flight to China where Kenya Airways operates three times a week from Guangzhou to Nairobi, we have no doubt that this market is poised to grow to the next level, said KTB managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.
He made the comment as KTB received a delegation of 114 tourists from China on Tuesday, brought in by Polaris Safari.
Senior Chinese tour managers are also set to arrive in the country Wednesday to sample Kenya’s attractions. They will spend three weeks touring establishments in Amboseli, Naivasha and Maasai Mara.
Tourists from Kenya’s traditional source markets— United Kingdom, Australia and the US —have largely avoided the country after their governments issued travel advisories last year over security concerns.
China and India are turning into key markets for Kenya as arrivals from its traditional tourist sources dwindle.
Some hotels and tour operators have closed shop for lack of business. KTB blames the decimal performance on Ebola attacks in West Africa and Al-Shabaab terror attacks.
In 2013, Kenya received 398,000 international tourists compared to 381,000 guests in 2014.
In the second quarter report announced last year, KTB recorded 172,258 tourist arrivals compared to 248,722 in 2014.
Chinese tourism market last year recorded 100 million in-bound tourists. Last year, Chinese tourist arrivals to Kenya dropped to 31,486 from 34,923 the previous year.
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