By Xinhua
NAIROBI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has appealed to tourism stakeholders to focus on domestic visitors so as to revive the industry that had previously been affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions.The
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) also called upon Kenyans to embrace domestic
travel, explore new experiences, and contribute to the growth of the
local tourism industry. "By doing so, we not only contribute to the
growth of the tourism industry but also sustain the food chain and
ensure the economic sustainability of the hotel industry," KTB
Chairperson Francis Gichaba said in a statement issued Tuesday in the
Kenyan capital of Nairobi.The statement came as the "You Deserve A Holiday" campaign, which was launched by the KTB in 2022, marks an impressive milestone, with 108,963 bed nights sold to date and generating revenue of 1.09 billion Kenyan
shillings (about 7.74 million U.S. dollars) since its launch one year
ago.
People interact with giraffes at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, April 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Lin)The
tourism sector is one of the leading foreign exchange earners alongside
horticulture, tea, and diaspora. Tourist arrivals stood at 1.48 million
in 2022, a 70 percent increase as compared to 2021. This earned Kenya
1.90 billion U.S. dollars, up from 1.02 billion dollars in 2021.Gichaba,
who was speaking during the domestic activation drive held in Nairobi,
emphasized the importance of domestic tourism in supporting local
communities and economies. He noted that while the campaign has already
achieved significant milestones, there is still much potential to
explore.The
KTB official said communities and towns have sprung up because of
domestic tourism, which he said is supporting various sectors of the
economy. "We are creating new destinations through the 'You Deserve A
Holiday' campaign as we encourage Kenyans to explore their own
backyard," Gichaba said.Since
its launch in June 2022, the "You Deserve A Holiday" campaign has
successfully partnered with more than 20 industry stakeholders,
including tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers.These
collaborations have resulted in comprehensive travel packages designed
to offer seamless experiences for domestic travelers. The campaign aims
to penetrate potential areas within the domestic market and sustain
long-term demand for domestic travel through joint marketing
initiatives, such as golf tour series, mall activations, corporate
visits, church activations, and media promotions. ■
