By Omololu Olumuyiwa
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the country’s marketing agency and Kenya Airways (KQ) led over 15 travel trade companies on a roadshow to promote the richness and diversity of the country’s travel destinations in Nigeria.
The event held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja on Friday, 9 February, 2024 was in furtherance of the Kenyan government groundbreaking initiative in achieving its target in boosting tourist arrivals from West Africa promoting business and leisure travel.
From left: Alex Tonui of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB); CEO, Akwaaba Travel Market, Ikechi Uko; Judy Kahuki of Sarova Hotels; Managing Director of Destination Connect, ConsagaKhisa; Fiona Ngesa of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB); CEO, ITL Safaris,Kiiru Mahiaini and Regional Sales Manager, Sarova Hotels, Steve Biko at the event held at Sheraton Lagos Hotel on Friday.
The Marketing Manager of KTB, Mr Alex Tunoi said Nigeria is key to Kenya’s efforts to attract more Africans to visit and explore their exciting tourist attractions.
‘The Kenya Tourism Board aims to market Kenya as sustainable, all year round diverse and authentic tourism destinations leveraging on its diverse products and professional private sector members to offer added activities and experimental holidas to increase yield and profits sustainably’, Tunoi said.
Travel stakeholders during roundtable discussion with travel trade partners from Kenya at the event.
The Chairperson of the Magical Kenya West Africa Roadshow and Managing Director, Destination Connect, Mr. Consaga Khisa highlighted the importance of partnerships between KTB and the private sector in improving tourism arrivals in Kenya.
“The roadshow in Nigeria will provide an opportunity for the Kenyan trade to engage with notable travel agents and tour operators, showcase products and service offerings, and forge new partnerships to drive our growth,” Khisa said.
The Regional Sales Manager of Sarova Hotels and Resorts, Kenya Steve Biko, said they are in Nigeria because Nigeria is an important market for Kenya with the large population and constant travellers.
He stated that the roadshow was a diversification strategy by the tourism board to increase arrivals from Africa as Africa is the focus of Kenya tourism.
‘Sarova Hotels and Resorts is a leading hospitality group in Kenya, offering world-class accommodation, conferencing and event facilities. Sarova will surely be the right place for Nigerians looking for a serene getaway, a memorable safari experience or a productive business meeting’, Biko said.
The Sales Manager, Kenya Airways, Mr Richard Matthews disclosed at the forum that Kenya Airways would soon increase its flight frequency to Nigeria.
He announced that Kenya Airways will commence additional daily flights to Nigeria as part of an initiative to open up Kenya to the globe.
Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance is a leading African airline flying to 42 destinations worldwide, 35 of which are in Africa.
In his interview with Travelscope Magazine, one of the travel stakeholders in Nigeria, CEO, Aeroport Travels & Tour Ltd, Dr. Oludayo Gideon Taiwo (GidiBoss) said “These event is an opportunity to efficiently leveraged on how to generate demand for travel-related goods and services, encourage large numbers of people to travel, and boost the number of visitors between Nigeria and Kenya”.
One of the lucky winners of the All-Expenses paid trip to Kenya during the raffle draw at the event, Mr. Olamiposi Olakolu, CEO, MacJohnson Travels & Tours lauds the KTB initiative in attracting more potential tourists from Nigeria. He said Kenya is like Dubai to Nigerians now and very sure the West Africa Roadshow will be result oriented in couple of months.
Among the travel trade companies who participated at the Magical Kenya West Africa Roadshow held in Lagos are Destination Connect; ITL Safaris; Enashipai Resort & SPA; Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Heritage Hotels; Kenya Tourism Federation; Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp; Tribe Hotels Group; Ocean Beach Resort & SPA and Kenya Utali College.
