Kenya eyes 20 pct increase in tourists from S. Africa this year

Kenya said on Sunday it plans to increase the flow of tourists from South Africa by 20 percent at the end of 2016 from last year amid campaigns to market the East African nation.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Acting CEO Jacinta Nzioka said on Sunday Nairobi has kicked off campaigns including training of over 300 tour operators on tourism products the country has to offer.

"Our training of about 300 tour operators and travel agents in major cities of South Africa on our unique products offering will give impetus to our other campaigns we have mounted to attract travelers into this market," said Nzioka in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Nzioka noted Kenya has a competitive edge to attract more visitors from South Africa especially with niche tourism products including adventure and sports which are complimented with ease of access to Kenya.

The East Africa nation is among over 10,000 exhibitors showcasing her tourism products in Africa's leading tourism fair Indaba being held May 7-9 in Durban, South Africa.

The exhibition provides a platform for the country to drive the message of a new business environment after numerous government initiatives to boost tourism numbers from emerging and source markets.

Kenya is showcasing its tourism products at the annual event which brings together over 7,000 exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. Kenya is represented by 10 travel trade partners.

The prospects of the South African market has received a boost following the announcement by the national carrier, Kenya Airways, to operate flights three times a week from Nairobi to Cape Town via Livingstone, Zambia, from July.

South Africa is the leading tourist source market to Kenya in Africa with the arrival figures of over 30,000 last year.

KTB CEO said all indications showed that the market will attain a 20 percent growth before the end of the year with massive campaigns already launched. Endit