•Launches ‘Choose Kenya’ campaign at AfTM 2015
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is increasing its marketing drive in Nigeria as it brought along Kenya Airways to hold the ‘Introduction to Kenya’ to travel agents, tour operators, and other travel stakeholders in Africa’s most populous country.
The event at Protea Westwood Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos was the prelude to the ‘Choose Kenya’ campaign launched at the Akwaaba African Travel Markets (AfTM) at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Kenya Airways introduced ‘KQ Holiday Package’ to attract Nigerians to the East African country and interacted with stakeholders on facilitating visa issuance.
Carlos Maluta, consul of the Kenyan High Commission, Lagos, said “terrorism is now a global challenge, and as a matter of fact, the areas where the terrorist attacks occurred are along the border areas and towns, and not all over Kenya.
“Our government has made and is still making very concerted efforts to contain the acts of terrorism to the barest minimum. Kenya is relatively safe.”
KTB Marketing Director, Jacinta Nzioka, added that “apart from the attacks that rocked some cities, especially malls, the terrorists have been fought off to far away from the cities.
“In fact, the places these attacks were recorded are about 1,000 kilometres from the cities. Tourists into Kenya are safe.
“Places like Mombassa, Nairobi, Maran, Meru, and so on are all secure for exploring. When you explore one city, you can go on to the other, as you will find that the country is very safe.”
In the face of terrorist attacks from Al-Shabab, Kenya has struggled to sustain its tourism to remain among top five best destinations in Africa, according to the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI).
A travel agent who did not want his name in print told TheNiche that “terrorism seriously affected Kenya’s tourism arrivals. But we must praise the continuing efforts of the government and its persevering tourism board’s resilience.
“They have managed to resuscitate the country out the murky waters.
“As part of their restructuring effort, the KTB may have decided to turn its focus and drive tourism efforts to some African countries, especially West Africa. And Nigeria must have been a prime target.”
