DOMESTIC MARKET KEY TO KENYA’S TOURISM FUTURE
(Posted 07th July 2017)
Kenya’s Tourism Board has rolled out promotional activities at key shopping malls across the country targeting domestic travelers ahead of the August holidays
KTB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Betty Radier says the ground activation programs are part of the campaigns to spur the growth in domestic tourism segment.
Domestic tourism last year recorded a 14.6% growth with a total of 3.6 million bed nights being taken up by domestic travelers compared to 3.1 million in 2015.
This growth is attributed to aggressive marketing initiatives conducted by the Board towards building interest for travel within the country.
Affordable travel packages are available for the Kenyan traveller as KTB and partners mount mall activation campaigns at city hall Nyali in Mombasa from 07th – 09th of July. It is presently only in Kenya where domestic tourism efforts over the past two decades have shown accelerated growth while across the rest of East Africa has the uptake of tourism offerings by locals been slow and still needs to gather momentum.
Similar activations with affordable domestic activations are lined up to take place in Kisumu, Nakuru and Nanyuki throughout the month.
‘Holidays are for everyone and we are inviting our citizens to visit these malls and get themselves affordable packages for their families and friends. Kenyans must feel and enjoy tourism‘ said Dr. Radier in a statement received from KTB.
Constant flow of information on domestic tourism potential, products and offers have changed consumer attitudes and travel behavior as Kenyan residents are now more aware of the benefits of taking regular breaks away from home.
Dr. Radier also said the launch of train services from Nairobi to Mombasa and vise versa has had direct impact on domestic travels.
Most accommodation facilities at the coastal region are packaging their offers along with the commuter train services that have enhanced ease and affordable travel for Kenyans, mostly travelling from Nairobi.
‘A good number of Kenyans especially families and groups are now travelling by commuter train over the weekend mostly to the coastal regions for leisure activities. Accommodation facilities along Tsavo National reserves and the adjacent towns are already reporting higher booking because of commuter train services‘ did the KTB CEO say in closing.
