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Munira Mandano, Peter Leshan and Harrison Kivisu
P Layers and investors in the tourism sector predict a second half bullish of 2018 and a season 2019 in full swing after the visit of 39. former US president Obama in Kenya this week. However, the dividends of Obama's visit will be fully realized next year.
Bobby Kamani, General Manager, Diani Reef Beach Resort, says that the industry is set up on successful domestic tourism, particularly from August, the culmination of the high tourist season to the coast. "In 2015, the visits of Pope Francis and President Barack Obama to Kenya were great stories of international marketing for tourism in Kenya ," he says.
"The effects of increased international interest in Kenya, however, were felt only a year later, when arrivals in the country increased," he said. he.
Kamani said the industry should continue to see increased interest from the international community in Kenya, similar to the outcome of the 2015 visit, seeing positive growth in arrivals in the country in 2019. "For the time being, it would be wise Hoteliers continue their efforts to attract more local and regional travelers to their properties."
Sam Ikwaye, Executive Director of the Hotel and Catering Association of Kenya, said similar visits by global icons are affecting investor and tourism confidence. promising growth in the future. "We see him as a global icon and his visit is a big endorsement for the tourism industry.This just adds to the overall footprints of people visiting the destination, which is good," said Ikwaye
Players also plan for the imminent introduction of direct flights between Kenya and the US Kenya Airways (KQ) is scheduled to begin daily flights between Nairobi and New York in October marking a milestone for the national carrier which will reduce the flight time between the two cities by more than seven hours.
At present, the average bed occupancy at the coast is 60%, in particular The sector is expected to grow in a few weeks as the peak tourist season continues. "We are seeing good international arrivals, especially from European countries. The peak tourist season is taking shape and we are confident that things will improve before the end of the year holidays, "he added.
Mara focus
With About 114,000 US tourists visiting Kenya last year for leisure and business, the country remains the main source market, according to Kenya Tourism Board data.Kenya has recently implemented a series of government recommendations US to enhance security, including separation of arrival and departure terminals of passengers, clearance of the flight path and the airport fence.
In Masai Mara Game Reserve, the Hotel managers are optimistic that Obama's visit this week will boost arrivals even as the annual high season takes off.They say the visit was an expression of confidence in the administration. d u Kenya and have expressed hope that US tourists will soon topped the list of foreign arrivals.
There are also indications that tourists are visiting the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. before throwing in the country will soon start to visit. "Since 2008, after the post-election violence, American tourists have stood away from the Mara, preferring to visit the Serengeti." Obama's visit will certainly prompt them to change their minds. " says Lily Wadington, owner of Camp Osero.
In 2006, while he was Junior Senator of Illinois, Obama visited the reserve and spent a night at BaseCamp Park. The exclusive camp is owned by BaseCamp Foundation, an American charity. Tent number 10, where Obama spent a night, located along a corner of the Talek River, has since been preferred by visiting tourists. Waddington tells Travelwise that, while virtually all the camps and lodges on the reserve are full, visitors arrive to observe the Serengeti wildebeest's annual migration to the Mara, Obama's visit and the planned launch of KQ flights. US market, would stimulate the arrival of Americans in the future. "The visit has short- and long-term benefits for the Mara and the country as a whole, and even after the season, we expect more American tourists," she says.
US tourists, hoteliers hope, will leave the next season, probably exceeding those of Asia. "Since the Americans left on security grounds, tourists from Asia, especially from China, have been at the top of the list of arrivals, and we see Americans taking over the position they occupied. before 2008, "says Theophilus Shumwe, head of Tipilikwani camp.
Meanwhile, visitors wait patiently for the late wildebeest migration (due to rains in Tanzania and bush burning by Serengeti rangers). ), which should now take place anytime before the end of the month.In the last month, visitors have camped along the Mara River, in hopes of seeing the spectacular event , one of the wonders of the world.
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