11 Kenyan counties market tourism products in London

LONDON

At least 11 Kenyan county governments are in London to market their diverse tourist products at the World Travel Market.

The county governments hope to attract more international holidaymakers.

This comes at a time when the country has been experiencing a tourism slump due to security concerns.

Of late, the Ebola threat that has affected some West African countries has triggered international booking cancellations.

Kwale County Tourism executive Adam Sheikh said the county was using the WTM fair to assure travel agents and tour operators from the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Poland that the Diani resort town is safe for holidaymakers.

BEST BEACH

Mr Sheikh said that the county is also taking advantage of Diani Beach having been voted as the best beach destination in Africa by the World Travel Awards to woo international holidaymakers.

He added that the county would explore the global travel event to assure travel agents and tour operators that Kenya is not affected by the deadly Ebola virus disease.

"We are here in London to assure international travel players that Diani tourist town is safe for holiday as we have enjoyed peace for the last six months," he said.

"Diani resort town was recently voted as the best beach destination in Africa, so we are leveraging on the prestigious awards to attract more visitors to Kwale County," he explained.

Apart from the pristine palm-fringed beaches, he said the county is also marketing the wildlife at Shimba Hills game reserve, culture, water sports and the tropical weather.

"At the moment, the hotel occupancy in Diani is at 18 per cent. We are here to win back the confidence of British holidaymakers to boost the sector," he said.

NORTH RIFT TOURISM

North Rift Tourism Association vice-chairperson Lydia Dentewo said counties from the region including Baringo, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and Samburu are participating in the WTM event to help boost international tourist numbers.

She said the region is leveraging on great athletes from the North Rift to woo tourists from across the world for them to see where the world beaters live, eat and train.

The North Rift counties, she added, are also marketing the lakes biodiversity including Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo and Lake Turkana.

"Most of the top athletes from the country who have conquered the world in long distance races come from the North Rift so we are capitalising on their fame to attract more holidaymakers," she said.

Ms Dentewo said the region is also showcasing 486 bird species in efforts to attract international bird watchers to the North Rift.

BIRD WATCHING SITES

Ms Dentewo, who is also the Lake Bogoria Resort and Spa general manager, added that plans were underway for the region to launch bird watching sites in December 2014.

Turkana chief officer Mathew Logura said the county is participating in the WTM event to market Lake Turkana’s beaches, sand dunes and water sports.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Tourism executive Ishmael Chelang'a said the county aims to promote its diverse culture, sports and adventures to woo international tourists.

He said although Elgeyo-Marakwet has unique tourist attractions they had not been exposed to the international tourist source markets.

Isiolo County Tourism executive Amina Omar and the tourism committee chairman Paul Mero said they were in London to market the rare wildlife found at Buffalo Springs, Shaba National Reserve, Bisan Adi National Reserve and community conservancies.

FIRST TIME

"It is our first time to participate in the UK fair and we are looking forward to promoting our rare wildlife, culture and wildlife conservation to boost tourist numbers," Ms Omar said.

"After this event, we expect to attract more visitors in December especially from the United Kingdom and Germany," she added.

Ms Omar said the county is also planning to launch the Shaba marathon as part of efforts to woo local and international tourists.

The 11 counties are among 50 exhibitors from Kenya participating in the WTM fair.

Other exhibitors from Kenya include hotel groups, tour and travel firms, the Kenya Tourism Board and the Kenya Airports Authority.