KENYA AIRWAYS’ BOEING B787 DREAMLINER NOW CARRIES MAGICAL KENYA INTO THE WORLD
(Posted 09th May 2017)
Kenya’s Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and outgoing Kenya Airways CEO Mbuvi Ngunze earlier in the week inaugurated the latest livery of a KQ Boeing B787 Dreamliner, now bearing the Magical Kenya logo and a picture of the big five tourists can see in the national parks. With him for the inauguration ceremony were Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi Mohamed, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Mr. Jimi Kariuki, Chairman, Kenya Tourist Board; Mr. Mbuvi Ngunze, CEO, Kenya Airways; Dr. Betty Radier, CEO, Kenya Tourism Board and other invited guests. Said the Cabinet Secretary on the occasion: ‘I am pleased to launch the first Magical Kenya-branded Dreamliner. This comes on the back of Kenya being awarded Category 1 status by the U.S which further fortifies our efforts.
After an eight year wait, Kenya was finally granted the go-ahead on the 23rd February 2017 to operate direct flights to the United States of America (US). The permit, which came after Kenya passed a series of security and safety audit tests conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – where the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) scored Category One in security and safety – signals a new wave of confidence in Kenya; especially considering that we are headed to the electoral polls. The benefits of direct flights to the US are numerous, far-reaching and we look forward to the Magical Kenya Dreamliner’s maiden trip to each of our source markets‘
In a related development, while at the airport, did the Cabinet Secretary also officially launch the new tourist information centre at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aimed at serving visiting tourists on arrival and give them guidance and advice as and when required.
Said Hon. Balala just before he flew out of Nairobi on a Kenya Airways service to Europe: ‘While the past decade has seen a revolution in access to information through the Internet, through multiple TV travel channels, travel sections in newspapers, or via phones and other mobile devices, Tourist Information Centres are still integral to the access of necessary information by inbound tourists. Tourist Information Centres serve as useful platforms for local business promotion, which encourage longer stays and greater spend by tourists coming to Kenya‘.
The Cabinet Secretary is heading to Madrid for the 105th Executive Committee Meeting of UNWTO which takes place from tomorrow until Friday the 12th of May and during which elections will be held for the next Secretary General of UNWTO.
