Cruise holidays are increasingly becoming popular in Kenya. Over the years cruise holiday bookings have gone up locally. In the period 2017-2018, Kenya recorded 4,747 tourists cruising in from the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada. 6 ships docked at the Mombasa dock between October 2017 and March 2018.

It is for this reason that the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) in collaboration with Holiday Bazaar conducted training on selling cruise holidays for her members (travel agents).

In attendance were key sales and marketing personnel from Crystal Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.

Sessions focused on understanding cruising, advantage of selling a cruise, product knowledge on ships, knowledge on personalized cruises among others.

Speaking during the workshop Mr. Nicanor Sabula CEO at KATA opined that players in the industry do not engage is cruise selling because of the perceived technicality of booking cruise holidays. He however noted that there are clients who are curious and seek out information on cruise tourism.

Ms Helen Beck of Crystal Cruises disputed a general perception that claims that cruise lines contribute highly to pollution. “Every cruise line has a very strong sustainable environmental program, which includes a water filtration system on board, garbage separation just to mention a few.” She further said.

Other benefits of cruise ship tourism according to Ms. Thaybz Khan from Royal Caribbean Cruises include value for money because in a cruise ship accommodation, meals and entertainment activities for the whole family are guaranteed.

“In a cruise trip, a traveller gets accommodation, dining and entertainment activities for the whole family,” she said.

 She added that cruise ship tourism, being a multi-generational type of holiday, accords each traveller an unforgettable experience regardless of age.  

Ms Khan further said that cruising allows one to see more than one destination with the convenience of one vessel. This reduces the challenge of unpacking and packing when you are doing more than one destination.

Cruising, she added, offers a safe and secure environment where children are kept busy and entertained while they engage in other recreational activities that include swimming.

With a budget and travel details, Ms Khan stated, a cruise holiday is easy to book. Some key destinations for the cruising market include Europe, the Mediterranean, Dubai, the Caribbean, Barcelona and a rising trend around the Indian Ocean to islands like Seychelles, Zanzibar and Mauritius.

“We are seeing a rise in visits to exotic islands along the Indian Ocean like Seychelles, Mauritius, Zanzibar and Lamu. These sites are especially attractive to travellers from other continents who would normally never visit this part of the world. They now get to see it in one go,” cruise tourism expert Ms. Nishma Shah of Holiday Bazaar reiterated.

Kenya is constructing a Ksh 350 million cruise terminal at the port of Mombasa that is set to be completed in November. This is expected to increase cruise ship tourism as more of them will be received at the port. Kenya is the second major African destination for cruise ships after Egypt.

Air travel was considered a preserve for the rich but since the launch of the low-cost carriers (LCC) in the country this notion has changed. Low cost carriers control an estimated 25% of the global aviation market according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The rise of low cost carriers in Kenya has revolutionised travel, brought affordable air transport within economic reach of a large part of the Kenya population and the market for air travel has massively expanded. This is largely because these LCCs operate a model that features low fares, fewer in-flight frills, and an online booking all which keep costs lower than the traditional airlines.

According to a World Bank Group book, “Ready for Takeoff?” the LCC model could help catalyse air transport in the world’s less developed countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A number of low cost domestic operators of varying sizes fly within Kenya, destinations are mostly around the coast and the popular national parks where a lot of tourists like to visit. This has seen an increased number of people move away from bus stops and now prefer to use low cost carriers to move to their favourite destinations. Examples of these LCCs in the country include Jambojet, Silverstone Air, Skyward Express and Fly 540 aviation.

Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways began operations in April of 2014 and by 2019 it had flown over 3 million passengers with more than a million being first time fliers.  Silverstone air began its operations in 2017 and offers flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi which is its main operation base.

Studies show that LCCs not only boost the aviation industry but also have broad positive effects on employment, gross domestic product (GDP), tourism, productivity and trade.

The role of LCC’s in the growth of air travel in Kenya is one of the topics that will be discussed in-depth during the 2019 KATA convention to be held at Enashipai Spa and Resort on the 27^th  and 28^th of September.

Industry captains will get a chance to discuss and debate trends, patterns and drivers of local air travel and why low-cost carriers hold the future for growth of the industry.

The fight against ivory trade picked up momentum after Kenya joined 32 other countries calling for the total ban on the trade.

The 32 countries that include Nigeria, Chad, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Uganda are calling for the listing of the African Elephant from Appendix 11 to Appendix 1 that advocates for the total ban on ivory trade through a campaign dubbed the Ivory Trade is a rip off.

The campaign that is a partnership between the Government, Kenya Airways and Kenya Airports Authority was officially launched on July 31, 2019 by Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and activated on August 1, 2019 by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala.

Speaking during the activation, Mr. Balala urged industry players in the government and private sector to collectively fight against wildlife trafficking.

“This war against wildlife trafficking cannot be fought alone, we call upon all the relevant agencies, in government, private sectors and other communities to support this noble cause.” He said.

The campaign, he further said, hopes to sensitise the public and raise awareness on wildlife trade and trafficking.

The team pledged to each play their part in ensuring the success of the campaign and bringing an end to the ivory trade.

Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz said that during the campaign, the national carrier will produce branded boarding passes with codes which once scanned will direct customers to Ministry of Tourism’s website where customers using the airline and its partners can get all information to support wildlife protection.

KAA Chairman Mr. Isaac Awuondo stated that KAA would not relent on the illegal ivory trade adding that  KAA was the first Airport in Africa to sign the United Buckingham Palace Declaration – an international initiative – that commits players in international transport supply chain, mainly airports, airlines, logistics and shipping companies, to collaborate in the fight against the wildlife trafficking.

On their part, KWS has enhanced surveillance in all entry and exit points. KWS will also run an exhibition in August to sensitise the travelling public on illegal wildlife trafficking.

Kenya has been at the forefront for years in the fight to curb the scourge. Heavy jail terms and penalties for people found guilty of the crime has acted as a deterrent. In July 1989, retired president Daniel Arap Moi ignited a pile of 12 tonnes of elephant tusks and helped change global policy on ivory exports.

Shortly after, the trade was banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. This recent move in this fight is the biggest one as it incorporates some big names on the travel and tourism sector and other countries as well.

Air travellers who have been inconvenienced by airlines can now lodge their complaints with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

KCAA launched a platform to address the complaints by air travellers who experience lost luggage, overbookings flight delays and cancellations and fail to get any resolution from the airlines.

KCAA Director General Capt. Gilbert Kibe said that as the industry regulator, the authority will pursue unresolved complaints raised by air travellers.

“In the unfortunate event that passengers suffer considerable delays, overbookings, luggage loss or flight cancellations, we want the consumers to be rest assured that we have in place a system for redress that ensures compliance with the laid down code of practice, ensuring that the quality and value of services provided meet consumer expectations,” he said.

The aviation regulator requires that the passengers are informed of any planned cancellations or long-term delays anticipated at least 12 hours before the scheduled flight by the airlines and ground handling agents.

Mr Kibe avers that the airlines should also have a means of communication for emergencies and provide alternative solutions and compensation in cases of denied boarding, flight delays or cancellations and lost, damaged or delayed luggage.

“We, therefore intend to ensure consumers are fully aware of their rights from the point of the ticket purchase in order to ensure that all aviation consumers are accorded the best services and value from the service providers within the aviation industry,” he pointed out.

The aviation consumer protection rules, he further said, demand that airlines provide documents on insurance, compensation and complaint assistance on request from the travellers.

Starting June 1, 2019, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) mandated all travel agencies to provide passenger contact information when booking air tickets.

As part of IATA Resolution 830d, travel agents booking air tickets through IATA’s Passenger Agency Program “must actively ask each passenger whether they wish to have their contact details (mobile number and/or email) provided to airlines participating in the itinerary.” According to IATA, the rule is being implemented in order to help contact the passenger “in an operational disruption” and so that airlines are “able to advise passengers of irregular flight operations and disruptions.

By Kenya Association of Travel Agents

The announcement by government of plans to launch direct flights between Kenya and Jamaica has been received with mixed reaction by travel agents.

This announcement was made following bilateral talks held between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jamaican counterpart during his three-day state visit to Jamaica this week. President Kenyatta said this would deepen commercial ties as well as strengthen partnership between the two countries.

“This move by the two Governments is timely as passengers will be able to travel well without the issue of Transit Visa in the USA. It will ease the many connections passengers have to endure to reach the Caribbean Island,” said Ms Lilian Mutumira from Africa Bliss Travel Ltd.

Good Hope Travel Managing Director Patrick Ngotho also lauded the move citing that travel agents will now be able to capitalize on the opportunity since Jamaica is a good holiday destination.

 “Jamaica has always been a mystical place, I personally would love to go on holiday to Jamaica and look forward to adding this as a destination once the flights open up the two countries,” says Patrick Maina from Deans Travel Centre.

Mr Peter Bogecho from Zakale Expeditions said that the direct flights will go a long way in helping both markets through tourism and accessibility with reduced travel hassles.

However, the news was not welcomed by all as some travel agents felt that the idea is not viable since Jamaica is an expensive destination.

Mr Jayant Acharya of Acharya Travels observed that this was not a feasible move as it raises questions on sustainability of Jamaica-Kenya market. He further expressed doubt that the cost of air ticket and flying time would be compatible to the Kenya Airways product range.

Ms Julie Dabaly of Carlson Wagonlit Travel pointed out that Kenya’s national carrier Kenya Airways has too many problems that will not be resolved by flying to Jamaica.

“Kenya Airways should first get out of the red before adding to such a far-away destination. Jamaica is a beautiful destination but expensive,” she added.

By Kenya Association of Travel Agents