Over twenty international travel writers and bloggers have been marvelled by the diverse Kenya’s tourism offering and experiences being offered.
From the day of arrival in Nairobi to the visit to some of the world’s amazing tourist sites, the media personalities have different stories and experiences to tell.
The Groups being hosted by the Kenya Tourism Board as part of this year’s Magical Kenya travel Expo had three itineraries to appraise themselves with East Africa’s biggest economy.
The itineraries took the journalists to Amboselli National Park, Kisumu, Naivasha Watamu, and Mombasa.
These mouth-watering tourism products captured all moments in the tourism delivery chain and why it has that pull factor.
Opportunities and interview sessions were offered to the media to understand and speak to the main players in various attractions.
Christine Nayagam, Editorial Director at Media India Group, a media conglomerate headquartered in New Delhi is fascinated with Kenya’s tourism products and captures it with this quote.
‘’This is my first time in Kenya and its people made it an incredible experience. I really felt welcomed by the Kenyans who are hospitable and helpful. I was also very happy to find a lot of spicy Indian and vegetarian food options easily available everywhere. Of course the safari experience has been the ´icing on the cake’. Such a rich wildlife and great conservation projects thought public and private groups’’,
South African Travel Blogger Meruschka Govender said ”This is my third visit to Kenya and it’s truly magical. I’m surprised at the diversity Kenya haa th offer. It’s so much more than a safari destination. On my previous trips here I was introduced to Swahili culture in Lamu and Mombasa, the stunning beaches at Diani and the South coast and had the rich culture of the Samburu”
”The most beautiful part about visiting Magical Kenya ???????? this September 2018, is the fact that for me, it’s a homecoming of sorts. You see, I lived in Nairobi between the ages of 14-16, when my diplomat father was posted here. Our life was very different – my brother and I went to the International School of Kenya, after I’d studied at Loreto Msongari and Hillcrest. I sang the Kenyan national anthem everyday (I still can!), learnt to play tennis, swim, and drive here. My parents also took us on innumerable safaris. Going to Amboseli was a return to my teenage years. The majestic Mt Kilimanjaro still stands proud, while elephants, wildebeests, warthogs, and hippos live in its shadow. The snow may have receded a bit, but the elephants continue to stomp the plains, with mischief in their eye, and love for their young. On this trip organized by the superb MKTE I did get to visit a Masai camp and see how these brave warriors live today, adjusted with the challenges of farming and development. Our visit to Kisumu and meeting of Mama Sarah Obama has been touching”- Priya Kumari Rana -Executive Editor, Outlook Splurge, India.
Executive Editor, Outlook Splurge, India
In the opening reception to begin the tour, The Head of PR at the Kenya Tourism Board Ms Wausi Walya outlined the Board’s plans to reach and give trade knowledge about Kenya’s unique selling points to the market.
“ Our intention is to increase the visibility of the destination through awareness creation. This is why we are engaging the media to tell the story of the destination,” says Walya.
KTB CEO Dr. Betty Radier says MKTE has become a must-attend fair in the region and has positive impact on tourism business.
“The increasing number of hosted buyers and exhibitors in this year’s show fair is a testimony of the growth of the show which we hope to grow to the next levels in the coming years,” says the CEO
The country is gearing up for its biggest tourism festival where it will be hosting the 8th Magical Kenya Travel Expo From 3-5 October, the AU Tourism Ministers Meeting On 2nd October with UNWTO Secretary General Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili making his first official fist to East Africa.
The Festival week wraps up with the Africa Hotel Investment Forum and the top brass within the world’s hospitality industry are expected to converge in Nairobi.
