FOR many years Kenya remained a relatively unknown destination for many in the Middle East. However Kenya Tourist Board’s active promotional programmes in the region have seen increasing numbers of Arab travellers visiting the county for its safaris, luxury camps and stunning landscapes and even cultural festivities.
Says John Chirchir, regional marketing manager - emerging markets [GCC Countries], Kenya Tourist Board: “Kenya continues to grow as a new leisure and groups destination for travellers from the region. Our latest statistics show a strong increase of 19.5 per cent for the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. This relates to total number of 7,453 visitors from the UAE compared to 6,327 for the same period last year. A total of 11,811 visitors from the UAE were received in 2009 and so we are confident, all being equal, that a good double-digit per cent increase can be expected for 2010.”
While visitors from the UAE continue to top visitor numbers from the region, other strong markets are Iran and Oman. Increased flight connectivity and the growing interest from the Middle East has made the region an emerging market and has resulted in the appointment of a Kenya Tourist Board office in Dubai to provide a permanent presence and reach in the region.
According to Chirchir an encouraging factor is that there has been an increase in the numbers for both leisure and business travel.
He said: “From the Middle East we are also hearing of a small but increasing number of group bookings for both meetings and corporate incentive travel, which are no doubt taking advantage of our unique magical settings, famed Kenyan hospitality, short air-travel time, ease of coordination in English and relative ease of entry.”
With an increased awareness of its luxury resorts and experiences, family attractions, golf attractions, adventure tourism opportunities and even cultural attractions, the destination is gaining more popularity among visitors from the GCC making their way for long weekend getaways and rejuvenation retreats.
“In this regard Kenya proves an excellent alternative as a close-by ‘new’ destination offering privacy and relaxation in exotic landscapes and environments. Allowing people to get close to nature while remaining in the lap of luxury!” added Chirchir.
Currently a special promotion to provide visit visas for free for accompanied children up to the age of 16 and 50 per cent discounted visa fees for adults, resulting in visit visas now only costing Dh100 ($27), is being promoted to provide extra value for visitors travelling as families. The promotion will continue until further notice.