FEATURE KENYA
Tourism Talk
ANGIE SLOAN
UK director Kenya Tourist Board
“The last two years have been tough for the travel industry, but Kenya has bucked the trend with steady growth in 2009, 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. “Since last May, sterling has risen by
16% against the Kenyan shilling meaning customers are getting greater value for money.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL BY ELIZABETH NEWTON “I really didn’t expect one of the highlights of my trip to Kenya to be in Nairobi. But then I met Lily. She had beautiful
dark eyes with endless lashes. And an 18-inch long, dark grey tongue. We met at Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre, a small attraction run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, Kenya. After climbing a flight of wooden steps, I
approached Lily with a handful of food pellets. Before I knew it, I was cradling her large head as that long, grey tongue rasped across my palm, greedily gobbling the food. This is a brilliant way for clients to pass
an hour or two in Nairobi as they wait for a flight. And they can feel good knowing their entry fee allows the Centre to introduce underprivileged kids to their nation’s wildlife. Behind me were a group of children from one of Nairobi’s poorest areas, and their wide-eyed excitement at meeting Lily was as memorable as the giraffe herself.”
“Upmarket luxury holidays and safari
circuits are selling better than the coast and our aim is to raise awareness of upper end Indian Ocean properties that make a perfect end to a safari. “Kenya is a trade favourite. Its product
is more complex, normally involving two or three centres, which is why consumers favour booking through travel agents. “In the past year we have run sales
agent fam trips to Kenya as well as a series of roadshows. In the coming year we will have more fam trips and aim to target travel agents to give them the confidence to sell the destination. Trade campaigns will be launched at the same time as consumer promotions, so agents can convert this increase in demand into good sales.”
From the Front Line SARAH WHIBLEY
agency sales manager Somak “Interest in Kenya remains
steady. The focus for Somak is on highlighting the remaining lodge and camp availability during the busy months
DAGMAR MARROCCO market manager for Africa Kuoni “Kenya has had a
successful year with both safari and beach product selling well. In this price-driven market Kenya still offers value for money. Our short Safari Experience from Mombasa from £1099 per person or Big Five Safari featuring the game of Amboseli & Tsavo are both selling very well. “We have a new property in Mombasa,
the Southern Palms Beach Resort, set on the south coast on Diani Beach, offering good value with an all-inclusive option. Also, with the launch of our new Ananea sustainable tourism programme we have created a nine-day escorted safari, supporting the Born Free Foundation charity, founded by Virginia McKenna.”
LOUISE STANION Africa product manager Cox & Kings “The Masai Mara
continues to sell really well for us. The game viewing is fantastic and people are
– especially between July and September
during the popular Great Migration – to ensure that
clients’ demands are met with a suitable and affordable mix of luxury safaris. “We always recommend that groups of
four – whether two couples travelling together or a family – upgrade to a Premier safari vehicle for exclusive use. The supplement is around £220 per holiday, but gives greater freedom and independence for the group.”
always interested in the annual migration. Camps are authentic and competitively priced so are appealing to those looking for value for money. We’re working with several new camps, including The Kicheche Naibosho Conservancy, an eco-lodge on the northeast edge of the Mara, which has very strong community involvement. Basecamp Mara is also new and has the only Masai female as a camp manager.”
CATHIE O’DEA Travel Counsellor “Kenya is my number one choice for safari. It’s the
best – you’re pretty much guaranteed the big five – and it tends to be the cheapest. You could see the big five in Kruger but it would cost a lot more. And the beaches are better in Kenya. “Kenya is very popular with
honeymooners – it has safari and beach all in one. It’s also one of the few long haul destinations where the weather is good in our summer. “There’s something for every budget,
from the all-inclusive White Sands in Mombasa to Little Governers Camp. I’ve taken bookings ranging from £2,000 up to £14,000. All my clients have been very pleased
with Kenya. It’s all about the animals and the safari experience – there are plenty of beaches in the world. It won’t suit everyone though. The visa costs and vaccinations can put people off. I wouldn’t recommend it for families with small
Top left: the Lake Elmentetia Luxury Camp with right, the beautiful cheetah
www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2011 53
Selling Tip
get active: Climb Mount Kenya, or go on safari on
foot, by mountain bike, on horseback or even a camel.
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