By Christy Anyanwu
• Alex Tonui -KTB; Ikechi Uko Akwaaba Travel market, Judy Kahuki – Sarova Hotels;ConsagaKhisa Destination Connect; Fiona Ngesa – KTB; Kiiru Mahiaini; ITL Safaris; Steve Biko- Sarova hotels
Travel and tourism authorities and operators in Kenya, one of East Africa’s foremost travel destinations are set to dominate the Nigerian travel market.
Foremost and upcoming travel operators in the country converged on Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, recently to explore opportunities and partnerships with travel companies from the Kenyan tourism industry for in-market activations, tagged “Magical Kenya West Africa Roadshow.”
Kenya Tourism Board regards Nigeria as a lucrative market to explore and boost tourism business. It has intensified efforts throughout West Africa, recognising it as a crucial source for Kenya’s tourism.
Marketing manager, Kenya Tourism Board, Mr. Alex Tunoi, said the roadshow was organised to increase tourist arrivals in Kenya, while calling on Nigerians to visit Kenya.
He disclosed that in Kenya, Nigeria accounted for about 35,000 tourist arrivals every year, a number Kenya intended to grow by 10 percent over the next couple of years
“We have come with our trade partners like tour operators, hoteliers and more to develop packages for the Kenyan market.
“We are focusing on West Africa as part of our key source market to grow the number of tourist arrivals.
“There are a lot of new things happening within the cities in Kenya. We can offer opportunities for shopping, golfing, safari, beach exploration and more.
“We are open for city adventure, the most patronised aspect of tourism in Kenya from Nigeria,” he said.
Tunoi also explained that the Kenyan government had eased all travel restrictions to make the country more accessible to tourists, adding that Kenya was safe and affordable for all.
Managing director, Destination Connect, a tour company, Mr. Consaga Khisa, stated that Kenya was declared a visa-free destination for most African nations at the beginning of the year.
“We are here to foster relationships between Kenya’s tourism players and our partners in Nigeria. We welcome Nigerians to Kenya, our hotels and communication systems are of the best standards. Our airport transfer vehicles are fitted with wifi.
“We have the highest skating drills in Africa,” he said.
On his part, regional sales manager, Sarova Hotels and Resorts, Kenya, Mr. Steve Biko, expressed their readiness to host tourists during the 2024 edition of Magical Kenya, coming up later in the year: “We are ready to accommodate tourists during Magical Kenya. Nigeria is a big market and it is very important that we capture the Nigerian market. It has been the most profitable route. We have lots of similarities culturally and it is time for Africa to use their culture to appreciate what each country has to offer. It is a good exchange programme.”
Similarly, sales manager for Kenya Airways, Mr. Rotimi Martins, said the airline would soon increase flight frequencies to Nigeria in order to boost leisure and tourism, saying, “Frequency increment is what we are looking at. At the moment, we are doing seven flights out of Lagos every week but, come April, we will add one to make it eight flights.
“In summer, it will grow to 10 flights out of Lagos to Nairobi as well as Abuja, to make it 15 flights each week.”