No Ebola! Kenya hardsells tourism to woo Indian tourists

Kenya is hardselling its tourism, allaying concerns over safety and Ebola, to woo visitors from India which it expects to become one of the top three source markets by 2018.
"We want to reassure visitors from India that Kenya is a safe destination and the government has already taken steps to ensure safety of people and visitors. Moreover, Kenya remains Ebola free and no single case of Ebola has been recorded in the country," Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa told PTI.
In the current calender year, the board expects over 65,000 Indian visitors to Kenya.
"But we are looking at about a 1,00,000 of visitors by 2018, Ndegwa added.

Bullish on Indian tourist arrivals to the country, he said: "We expect India to be among the top three source markets for Kenya as a tourist destination by 2018. Currently it is the fifth largest source market."
In order to further promote the country's tourism here in India, he said the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is undertaking a series of initiatives.

"We are making investments at consumer front and will undertake measures like road shows, being the official sponsor of IIFTC conclave in cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai," Ndegwa said.
Besides tapping social media, KTB will also host the fifth edition of 'Magical Kenya Travel Show' in Kenya in October, he added.

When asked about the segment of Indian visitors to Kenya, Ndegwa said that at present leisure is the biggest segment but "we are also looking to popularise the MICE segment and we will also focus on the niche segments like honeymooners."
Apart from the tier I cities KTB is also focusing on tier II and tier III cities to increase the source base, he added.
Tourism plays an important role in Kenyan economy and the country boasts of popular tourist destinations like the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Samburu, Laikipia and Mount Kenya for safaris and Lamu Island, Diani and Malindi at the coast.