DOHA: Kenya’s Tourism Board showcased its Middle East-focused offerings at a road show for Qatar’s tours and travel companies at W Doha Hotel on Thursday.
The board’s Corporate Communications Manager, Wausi Walya, (pictured) )said Kenya received 2,400 tourists from Qatar in 2013, of whom 30 percent were expats. “We are targeting 10,000 visitors from Qatar in the next couple of years.”
With wildlife, snow-capped mountains, marine parks and reserves, beaches and safari products, Kenya’s products are diverse and exciting but the problem is this region is quite unaware of them. “Our idea is to roll out activities in Qatar. We are also planning to showcase special products for Qatar’s high net worth income people.”
At the World Travel Awards in Doha last year, Kenya was voted the ‘Best Safari Destination’. Kenyan beaches have been ranked the world’s 10th best. The country has diversified its offerings and become a competitive sport and adventure tourism destination.
Walya said Kenya witnessed 44,000 visitors from Dubai last year while the tourist flow from the UAE has been almost growing 100 percent.
On the impact of the Westgate Mall attack on Kenya’s tourism sector, she said international arrivals dropped a bit immediately after the incident, but have started picking up.
“Safety is not an issue. The service of tourism police is always available for visitors.”
Walya said Kenya’s tourism sector has been witnessing huge foreign investment flow over the past few years, which shows foreign confidence in the sector.
Major facilities opened in Kenya over the last two years include Malindi resort by Italian billionaire Flavio, Mahali Pazuri in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve-owned by Richard Branson, Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Hemingways Karen in Nairobi, Eka Hotel and The Boma in Nairobi.
“The vision is to transform Kenya as a middle-income economy and tourism will be the key pillar to achieve it.”
Kenya continues investing in tourism development to attract an average of three million visitors by 2017 and the board’s focus is on highlighting the country’s positive story.
The Peninsula
