FEATURE KENYA
Main picture: dancing Masai girls with the Red Pepper House on Lamu Island (right)
72,031 UK visitors arrive, up by more than five per cent compared to the same months in 2009. This built on a year (2009) when UK visitors recovered to 80 per cent of 2007 numbers. The draw cards are the same as before: the sheer volume of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and the Indian Ocean coastline. But according to the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) a new variable is an increase in the luxury and eco-sector, with safari visitors taking in three or four safari parks as well as adding on a coastal resort. Also new is an impressive influx of
boutique properties, plus new tours and growing recognition for niche products such as diving, spa and golf. Kenya specialists like & Beyond and Sanctuary Retreats report that bookings are ‘storming ahead’. In fact confidence is so high that the
KTB can afford to shift its marketing efforts beyond its bread and butter beach and bush combo to highlight the lesser known areas like The Lamu Archipelago, which consists of Lamu Town, the island and archipelago, (all with the same ‘Lamu’ name) which is, in terms of international tourism, Kenya’s northern outpost. Lamu offers some of Kenya’s least
developed coast, a tropical island with a distinctly exotic flavour, and white-sand beaches. Another reason to visit: Lamu is one of the oldest Swahili towns still in existence. Although staunchly Islamic, the Swahili culture emerged from a mixture of Arab and Bantu blood.
TRADE FOCUS This month (September) the KTB will launch several campaigns with tour operators to stimulate consumer demand to the country. Following the success of its sales incentive in June, the Kenya Tourist Board is launching a further incentive next month (October). Agents will be able to log their bookings to Kenya and the highest sellers will be in the frame to win
From the Front Line
BEV PRIDMORE PRODUCT AND CONTRACTS MANAGER, HAYES & JARVIS “We have included Lamu after receiving an increased volume of requests for the island.
prizes that include a fam trip to Kenya The KTB will also be hosting an agent
fam trip in late November. Agents who register and complete the Travel Uni Jambo Kenya online training programme will be entered into a draw to win one of the places on this trip. (
www.jambokenya.co.uk)
WHAT’S NEW The Red Pepper House is a new boutique beach hotel on Lamu Island, close to Lamu Town. It consists of five spacious Nyumbas (the Swahili name for home), with thatched roofs. Guests, who have their own butlers, can choose from activities like visiting the ruins of the city of Takwa, sunset dhow trips, snorkelling, deep sea fishing and massages. Serena Hotels will open its new lake-
side Elementaita Serena camp in December. The luxury 25-tent camp, located 120k from Nairobi, will be located on the shore of the camp of the same name, known for its flamingos and pelicans. It will feature a spa. Samburu National Park is open again
after severe flooding at the start of the year. One of Kenya’s lesser known national parks, Samburu is home to properties like Joy’s Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp and Ashnil Samburu Camp, and all are again welcoming guests. The reserve is home to around 1,000 elephants and all the big cats. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie, Out of Africa, which starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, Sanctuary
This will offer clients a real experience of untouched Kenya, especially as the hotel that we are going to feature is the rustic Kipungani Explorer, set on 12 km of secluded beach and is one of Africa’s most remote, relaxing and romantic coastal hideaways.”
DAGMAR MARROCCO MARKET MANAGER AFRICA, KUONI ”Kenya sales have been doing well. Beach sales are strong as they offer great value for money,
especially the half-board and all- inclusive options. Both appeal to families and clients looking to budget for holidays upfront. Four-star properties, such as Baobab Beach Resort, Voyager Beach Resort and Serena Beach Hotel & Spa are selling very well. Our Cheetah Serena Safari, which takes in Nairobi, Samburu, Mt Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara, is especially good for first-time visitors.”
SARA GELDER HEAD OF LONG HAUL, COSMOS "Kenya has really come back into its own and is currently our best performing long haul
charter destination. High season is virtually sold out. Safari bookings are strong especially for the shorter durations."
GARY LOTTER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, &BEYOND "Having been affected by the political unrest in 2008 and followed closely by the global
economic crisis through 2009, &Beyond’s business to Kenya is seeing a strong recovery in 2010. As we approach the coming high season in East Africa we are experiencing an increase in demand of over 25 per cent compared to last year, and revenue increases of over 40 per cent. Kenya is, and will always be an iconic safari destination. Its incredible diversity, coupled with its easy access for international travellers makes it an ideal location for safari seekers. &Beyond operates both Kichwa Tembo and Bateleur Camp in the Masai Mara and is a prolific tour operator in the region."
www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2010 25
&BEYOND
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