Kolkata, India
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The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has initiated a series of roadshows in major Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
This initiative aims to bolster tourism from India, which has shown a promising growth trajectory in recent years. This initiative, spearheaded by KTB's CEO June Chepkemei, emphasizes Kenya's diverse tourism offerings, positioning the nation beyond the conventional focus on the Big Five wildlife attractions.
“We are positioning Kenya as a diverse tourism destination to attract different types of clientele including honey mooners, adventurer enthusiasts, filming and business conference among others from this Asian market,” said the CEO.
In 2024, India contributed significantly to Kenya's tourism, recording 106,863 Indian visitors, a rise from 95,038 in 2023, representing a growth rate of 12.4 percent. Chepkemei lauds the importance of the Indian market, noting its potential for growth through innovative marketing strategies tailored to various tourist segments, including honeymooners, adventure seekers, business travelers, and film producers.
“We are happy that the government continues to focus on improvement of infrastructure around tourism such new hotels, roads, airstrips which are some of the enablers that have enhanced visitor experiences in the destination,” said the CEO.
Central to this appeal is the enhancement of air connectivity and the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system effective January 1, 2024. This new regulation mandates all travelers, including infants and children, to secure an approved eTA prior to their journey to Kenya.
In a bid to streamline this process, plans for an expedited eTA option are underway, promising instant approval and processing times of up to 72 hours. The broader tourism landscape reflects a robust recovery, with Kenya experiencing a notable 16 percent increase in total visitor arrivals in 2024, summing up to 2,253,428 tourists.
The roadshows are part of KTB's proactive strategy to capitalize on this upward trend and elevate Kenya's profile as a premier destination for a wide array of travelers.