Let’s Market Destination Uganda with the Magical Kenya Travel Expo.
As we welcome the new month of October, the Kenya Tourism Board has scheduled the incredible magical the Magical Kenya Travel Expo. Magical Kenya Travel Expo is aimed at selling destination Kenya to the possible buyers and other potential investors. This exhibition presents a platform to all tour operators and other related service providers on the African continent to come and showcase whatever they have to offer to the outside world.
The importance of Magical Kenya Travel Expo
Kenya is East Africa’s second-biggest destination behind Tanzania. In 2018 tourist arrivals in Kenya grew by 37.33 percent from the previous year to cross the two million mark for the first time recording a staggering 2,025,206 tourists arriving in Kenya. The increase in the number of tourist arrivals posted significant growth in earnings to Sh157 billion. This was a clear indication of the positive outcomes in the marketing efforts carried out by the Kenya Tourism Board such as the Magical Kenya Travel Expo.
Kenya received most of the tourists from the USA with 225157 arrivals. Tanzania was second with a 10.48 per cent share of the arrivals at 212,216 tourists. Uganda was third with a share of 10.08 per cent at 204,082 arrivals. Other top markets were India, China, Germany, Italy and South Africa. Mr Balala said a total of 3.9 million bed nights were taken up by Kenyans last year compared with 3.6 million in 2017.
“Domestic bed night for the year 2018 were estimated at 3,974,243, a 9.03 per cent increase compared to 2017 data of 3,645,243,” he said. The growth in the arrival numbers is also reflected in the growth of international hotel brands that have set shop in Nairobi and other Kenyan cities such as Mombasa to 68 which is the biggest number in any single east Africa. President Kenyatta, while receiving the tourism report encouraged the Kenyan tourism stakeholders to improve on their products and revamp their tourism experiences. The president also expressed his satisfaction on the overall achievement of the country’s foreign exchange earner saying it is a key sector that contributes substantively to the economy.
Mr Kenyatta also urged county governments to prioritise packaging of tourism products by partnering with government expert to boost the sector.
“Counties are key players and hosts of many tourism experiences, they should partner with government expert agencies, like the Kenya Tourism Board and collaborate with neighbouring devolved units to enrich the existing tourism circuits,” he added.
The president said the Sh460 Mama Ngina Waterfront is a key project that will be part of enhancing the coastal tourism experience.
The recreational facility is being upgraded and given a facelift to attain international standards.
Mr Balala attributed the gains made by the sector to coordinate efforts between various arms of government, marketing of Kenya as a destination of choice among other strategies.
“We engaged various government departments, concerted efforts in marketing Kenya as a destination of choice. Investment of the recovery funding has also helped in growing the sector,” he elaborated.
North Africa’s decline
Mr Balala said Kenya also benefitted from the North Africa decline of tourism.
“The Arab Spring has affected them badly as well as areas like India and Thailand which have their own issues.
“Both Florida and Caribbean areas with the weather patterns changing, it has affected and people are now moving to Africa,” he elaborated on Sunday during a press conference at English Point Marina in Mombasa.
What does Kenya have to sell as a destination?
Besides the aggressive marketing strategies that allured many travellers to visit Kenya, Kenya is a captivating destination which has a wide biodiversity of wildlife. A Kenya safari/ Kenya tour/ safari Kenya gives you an opportunity to encounter some of the finest mammals such as Africa’s big five which include lions, African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, leopards and rhinos. If you are looking for an encounter with any of these wild mammals, make a Kenya wildlife safari/ Kenya wildlife safari to either Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo East National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park. While you enjoy your short Kenya wildlife safari/ short Kenya wildlife safaris, you can engage in numerous activities such as game drives, hot air ballooning, birding and cultural encounters with the Masai.
What does Uganda have to gain in the Magical Kenya Travel Expo?
Uganda is also a country that has a rich biodiversity of wildlife. This, therefore, means Uganda stands a lot to gain by exhibiting her tourism potential at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo. This is so because many tourists who make a Kenya tour/Kenya safari can also make a detour and visit Uganda. A Uganda safari tour to any of Uganda wildlife safari destinations like Kidepo valley national park Uganda Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park puts in you in prime position to encounter with numerous wild mammals like those in Kenya. Did you know that Uganda is also an epic gorilla destination? Yes, many Africa Wildlife Safari goers who visit Uganda usually ensure to make a short gorilla safaris Uganda as they visit either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A gorilla safari Uganda to any of these puts you in the right place to have a fascinating encounter with any of the 19 gorilla families are found here. Prime safaris and tours ltd has positioned itself as one of the best local travel companies that give you an amazing gorilla trekking Uganda experience or a Uganda wildlife safari as it has a wide range of safari packages to all wildlife destinations in Uganda. Some of the come in short Uganda wildlife safaris/short gorilla tours Uganda, Uganda mountaineering safaris, Uganda birding safaris, Kampala city tours/ 1 day Kampala city tour/ Jinja city tour/ 1 day Jinja city tour/ long Uganda wildlife safaris, long gorilla safaris Uganda.