Kenya eyes 40% rise in Indian tourists, woos Bollywood

The tourism board in Kenya, which is famous for its wildlife tourism, today said it is looking at an impressive 40 per cent growth in both leisure and business travellers from India in 2017, and is also wooing Bollywood filmmakers to shoot in Kenya.
During the last five years, the Indian market has grown to be the third largest tourism source market for Kenya representing a market share of 7.3 per cent of total tourist arrivals into Kenya.
"We are looking at an impressive 40 per cent growth in both leisure and business travellers from India in 2017. In 2016, Kenya received a total of 64,116 tourist arrivals from India, representing a growth of 28.9 per cent compared to 49,756 arrivals in 2015. Year 2016 marks the best performing year for tourist arrivals from India into Kenya," Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Director Mohanjeet Brar told reporters here.

Kenyan government is also looking at providing incentives to Bollywood producers to shoot films there. Kenya offers wonderful filming locations and the required supporting infrastructure. Several producers have shown keen interest in Kenya, which has 61 wildlife national parks, Brar said.
"India is the biggest trading partner of Kenya, which seeks investment from Indian entrepreneurs in areas like healthcare, education, agriculture, housing and IT sectors," KTB Director of Marketing Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi said.
To maintain this momentum, the board has increased its investment in the Indian market by focusing on impactful consumer campaigns both offline and online and trade incentive campaigns to incentivise the travel agents to push Kenya sales.

KTB recently launched the "Kenya Kalling" campaign that promotes numerous travel aspirations in Kenya targeting the new-age Indian traveller, families, adventure seekers, golfers, honeymooners, film makers and MICE or "b-leisure" travellers. The campaign highlights the incredible diversity of landscapes, rich culture and history, abundant wildlife and unique experiences that Kenya has to offer, Brar said.
The Kenyan delegation participated in India's leading Outbound Travel Mart 2017 currently being held in Mumbai. The delegation was led by senior officials from the Kenya Tourism Board in partnership with topnotch hotels and tour operators.