Tourist arrivals in Kenya increased in the first eight months of 2016. Growth compared to the same period last year over international arrivals marks a positive 14%, while Italian arrivals grew by + 3.3% compared to 2015. Kenya Tourist Board executive director Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi told Travel Guide.
‘We are confident that this positive trend will continue and grow further also thanks to a series of incentives put in place to attract visitors,’ the manager explained. Investments in security have paid off with the positive revision of international alerts on the destination. In addition, Kenya has recently hosted international events such as Unwto, Unctad, Ticad, testifying to the country's renewed confidence'.
The country is working to support tourism, both with financial support to market players and marketing activities.
After the support to charter airlines with discounts for every passenger disembarking, on carriers with at least eighty per cent occupancy stopping in Mombasa, discounts have also arrived for entry to the country's major parks and nature reserves. This has prompted new market strategies by agencies and tour operators.
‘In order to stimulate family tourism it was decided a few months ago to make visas free for all children under the age of 16,’ adds Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi. ’In terms of promotional activities, international and national campaigns have been organised, dedicated both to the trade and the consumer: this work will continue in the coming months and we are sure that Italy will also have a strong upturn.
Autumn 2016 will see a strong promotion of Kenya for both trade and consumers. ‘At the consumer level, a roadshow will be organised between the beginning of September and the end of October in several cities in central and northern Italy and a television campaign will be planned in October.’ Other actions are being planned with the aim of reassuring travel agents and inviting them to rediscover ‘a country of great charm’ that has been voted ‘World's Best Safari Destination’ again this year.