Advertising Kenya online is starting to give the expected results, even hoteliers on the coast are noticing that since last season they have begun to devote more energy and resources to digital marketing.
According to data collected by the Ministry of Tourism, the increase in requests for the next season recorded in the first six months of the year (about 10% more than the same period last year) are the result of reservations by users who use the Internet to choose and consequently organize and book their holidays.
"Digital marketing has become a very important tool for us - explained to the media the director of the Diani Reef Hotel Bobby KImani - We have invested heavily in promoting our structure through social media campaigns and influencer sites and the results prove us right".
Roberto Marini, owner of the Ocean Beach Resort in Malindi, is also of this opinion.
"Online marketing has become the number one tool for those who want to increase their business related to tourism - he explained during a recent meeting with Malindini entrepreneurs - this is why as chosen representatives of the private sector we presented to the Minister of Tourism a brand from the coast of Kenya that will be launched soon. It is desirable, even in our County, a collective effort to implement common digital marketing campaigns and to hire together an expert in the field to promote in an incisive and modern way our beauty, facilities and services.
In the meantime, in August, more online bookings will be registered, also through known channels in Europe that are beginning to be used in Kenya, such as Booking.com or Air BnB, but also thanks to the advertising of many structures of Kilifi County on Facebook and other social platforms.
The Ministry of Tourism for its part still invests heavily in the brand "Magical Kenya" to be present on important media occasions: the last of which is the presentation of the new film on the "Lion King" of Disney, where next to other important sponsors, stands the official logo of tourism in Kenya.