UN Tourism ranks East Africa among most open regions for travelers.

East Africa has been ranked among the most open sub-regions in the world in terms visa openness as global travel recovers to pre-pandemic levels, a new report by UN Tourism shows.

The United Nation’s tourism agency in its Visa Openness Report 2023 said East Africa stands out as the most welcoming subregion globally particularly due to its visa-on-arrival policy, which allows 46 per cent of the travellers of the world to obtain a visa upon entry, and its eVisa system, which is available to 36 per cent of international tourists.

“Visa-on-arrival policies are comparatively common in East Africa (46 per cent), South Asia (38 per cent), South-East Asia (36 per cent) and West Africa (32 per cent). eVisa programmes are prevalent in West and East Africa (36 per cent) and South Asia (31 per cent), while North Africa, Central America, Northern and Western Europe do not offer eVisas,” UN Tourism said in the report.

Kenya and Rwanda last year removed Visa requirements for all African travels, decisions that were lauded as a step towards opening African borders. Kenya has also launched a new eVisa platform for travellers from elsewhere.

As part of a new visa regime, travellers from countries that require the document to enter Kenya are now required to have an electronic visa (e-visa) before boarding a plane.

Overall, the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions have seen improvement in destinations’ openness.

“Destinations’ openness to international travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels following the lifting of COVID-19 related travel restrictions. As a consequence of the pandemic, new forms of travel facilitation, such as “nomadic visas”, also appeared,” the report said.

Ease of accessing visa is important to promoting tourism growth. According to the report, fewer people worldwide now require a traditional visa to travel, falling from 77 per cent in 2008 to 59 per cent in 2018, and then to 47 per cent in 2023.

At the same time, 21 per cent of the world population do not need any form of visa, an increase from 17 per cent in 2008 and 20 per cent in 2018 while 14 per cent of the world population can apply for visa on arrival, an increase from 6 per cent in 2008 and 15 per cent in 2018.

About 18 per cent of the world population can apply for eVisas, an increase from 3 per cent in 2013 and 7 per cent in 2018.

Source: Standard Media  

Navigating the Future: Empowering Travel and Tourism Through Online Payments

18 Apr 2024 – By Bryan Obala.

In the fast-evolving landscape of travel and tourism, the role of online payments has become more vital than ever before. Projections indicate that by 2033, the industry will soar to a staggering $15.5 trillion, contributing significantly to the global economy bloomberg. Particularly in developing markets across Africa, where new destinations are emerging as hotspots, the potential for growth in the travel industry is immense.

To capitalize on this growth, travel merchants must align with consumer expectations by offering seamless and reliable payment systems, with online sales projected to constitute 74% of total revenue by 2027. Here are five essential strategies that can help travel merchants meet these increasingly high consumer demands:

  1. Transparency: Be clear and specific about the payment options available to consumers. Transparency builds trust and enhances the buying experience.
  2. Security: In an era of burgeoning travel e-commerce, robust cybersecurity measures are indispensable. Offering secure payment options helps instill confidence and protects against fraud, which saw a concerning 156% increase in the global travel and leisure industry in 2021.
  3. Convenience: Tailor payment options to meet consumer preferences. Personalized services, including currency options and bundled offerings like travel insurance, enhance convenience and satisfaction.
  4. Reliability: High authorization rates are key indicators of success. Optimizing authorization rates not only drives incremental revenue but also fosters customer loyalty and repeat business. Even a slight improvement in authorization rates can translate into significant additional revenue, enabling businesses to fund expansion and innovation initiatives.
  5. Flexibility: Embrace Buy Now, Pay Later options to accommodate the diverse financial needs of travelers. Offering flexible payment solutions encourages purchase completion and enhances the overall shopping experience.

Looking ahead, the future of travel and tourism is brimming with possibilities. As businesses chart their course forward, prioritizing transparency, security, convenience, reliability, and flexibility will be paramount. By embracing these principles, merchants can navigate the dynamic landscape of global travel and ensure that everyone reaps the economic benefits of this thriving industry.

WTM Africa 2024 opens to 53% increase in attendees.

WTM Africa, which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 10-12 April, opened its 10th edition with a remarkable surge of 53% in attendance compared to the previous year. The increase in participation, with preliminary figures suggesting representation from 88 countries globally, heralds a bright future for the African tourism industry.

Africa Travel Week, under which the World Travel Market is a part also comprises shows like the Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA), and Equal Africa among others. The show also features seven networking events and the support of 53 partners.

Carol Weaving, managing director of RX Africa, comments: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Africa Travel Week with such a phenomenal turnout. This growth is a testament to the resilience and rising global appeal of the African tourism industry. We’re excited to contribute to the continued success and positive transformation of travel on the continent.”

The addition of first-time participants, including Greece, Iran, Switzerland, Lithuania, Tunisia, Benin, Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, Colombia, and Peru, brings fresh energy and diverse perspectives to the event.

Minister Patricia De Lille, though unable to attend in person, officially opened the conference via video call. She welcomed attendees and highlighted the need for collective efforts to continue the momentum of tourism in Africa: “This year represents a year where we can take measures to break new ground and achieve exponential growth in our numbers.”

Charting a sustainable future

Minister De Lille emphasised the importance of safety, sustainability, and expanding tourism beyond well-known destinations to include the hidden gems of lesser-known towns and villages across the continent. She also noted: “Tourism is one of the most significant contributors to our economy, but we can do much more. One of the areas where the department is investing in supporting economic sustainability is through our various tourism incentive programmes.”

A highlight of the opening day was the lively content discussions, where topics like responsible animal interactions sparked crucial ethical debates. Cathrine S. Nyquist, Co-founder of Panthera Africa, made a powerful statement: “Just because it’s legal does not make it right.”

The day also featured a dynamic Responsible Tourism session hosted by Harold Goodwin, World Travel Market’s Responsible Tourism Advisor. Three of the five African winners from the 2023 Responsible Tourism Awards shared their inspiring stories, demonstrating the continent’s commitment to sustainable travel practices.

The conference day closed with the inaugural Media Awards, recognising excellence in African travel journalism. Winners included:

• Sustainability Feature Award: Alexander Okere – Illegal Animal Trade

• Visual Tourism Award: Kelly Hammond

• Destination Feature Award: Phoebe Smith

• Tourism News Award: Adele Mackenzie – Tourism Update

“Africa Travel Week 2024 serves as a testament to the continent’s vast potential in tourism. It highlights the collective commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability. As Minister De Lille declared, ‘We are open for business. We are open for tourists’, extending an invitation to the world to experience the rich diversity and beauty of Africa,” concludes Weaving.

Source: Bizcommunity.

CS Mutua Kick Starts Activities to Rejuvenate Tourism Sector.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has launched activities that could revive the tourism industry to contribute immensely to the national economy.

Dr Mutua is spearheading a countrywide campaign dubbed “Utalii Fresh,” a strategic roadmap that seeks to uncover Kenya’s hidden tourism treasures and move the sector to the next level.

Speaking in Kwale County, the CS says his ministry is collaborating with the 47 devolved governments in the development of their rich tourism destinations and potentials.

Dr Mutua says his ministry is determined to revitalise the country’s tourism industry by investing in critical infrastructure like access roads, installing solar lighting along the beaches and strategic marketing to attract high spending tourists.

He says the campaign seeks to turn the tourism potentials in the counties into reality and promote tourism as a major foreign exchange earner and create jobs.

The CS was in Kwale County for his #UtaliiFresh county tours and announced that his visits will explore potential collaborations and partnerships to ensure that counties benefit from tourism opportunities.

He noted that Kenya has a strong comparative advantage in the hospitality and tourism sector because of its diverse cultural heritage.

CS Mutua termed the #UtaliiFresh campaign as a recipe for reviving sustainable and responsible tourism and repositioning it as a key sector in the national economy.

He says his vision is to unlock the untapped tourism potential of every corner of the country and take development to the grassroots.

“All around the world tourism plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage,” he said, adding that efforts would be made to ensure heritage sites and monuments throughout the country are preserved.

The CS accompanied by Governor Fatuma Achani visited a number of sites that the county intends to develop into attractive tourists’ sites in Diani.

Diani beach is the preferred holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists and each year it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour its beautiful scenery.

The resort town of Diani with its clear blue water and white sandy beaches have seen the South Coast town voted the best destination beach in Africa for six years in a row by the World Travel Awards.

The minister also held talks with tourism stakeholders and investors who presented their views on the challenges and opportunities in the tour, travel and hospitality sector.

Dr Mutua is asking the county governments to develop cultural experiences that would not only attract tourists but also benefit local economies and empower communities.

The Tourism CS says he has agreed with the Kwale County leadership on several initiatives aimed at enhancing the coastal county’s tourism sector.

“Key commitments include supporting the rehabilitation of the Diani tourist market and the construction of the Kwale Heritage and Convention Centre,” he said.

He also announced the establishment of a modern recreation facility along the historic Kongo beach blending preservation of the area’s history with contemporary amenities.

Dr Mutua says Kongo Beach is renowned for its potential in Halal (Shariah compliant) Tourism development and noted that the government sees a potential market of foreign Muslim travelers, especially from the Middle East.

He says the national government has set its eyes on the Arabian travel markets as an important growth area for the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu tourism sector.

Mutua said the government will take steps to get a slice of the growing Muslim tourism market by participating in the Arabian Travel Markets.

He said Muslim customers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Iran and Turkey specifically look for tour packages that can guarantee them to perform prayer five times a day during travel.

Mutua also noted that in terms of food, they demand products that only use halal materials and are processed in compliance with Islamic rules.

Governor Achani says the devolved unit will set up a state-of-the-art conference facility in Diani and has already allocated Sh 40 million for the development of the necessary public services and utilities.

“Our discussions focused on strategies on possible partnership areas between the Kwale County government and the ministry of tourism to grow and bolster the tourism numbers in our county,” she said.

She says the national government needs to partner with devolved governments and other stakeholders if the tourism industry is to be properly harnessed.

The coastal county boss says Kwale will reposition itself as a top Halal friendly destination as the hospitality industry already has outstanding halal tourism infrastructure to cater for the Muslim travelers.

“As a Muslim it’s important to ensure that your travel arrangements including food and accommodation are Halal especially if you intend on travelling during the Muslim holiday seasons,” she said.

She urged stakeholders to offer tour packages with extended services such as allocating times for praying in the itinerary of Muslim tourists and offering halal food.

Source: Kenya News

Kenya received 460,000 more tourists in 2023.

Kenya’s 2023 tourism arrivals grew by more than 460,000 in the period to December, marking the third consecutive growth since 2021 when the numbers started rising.

The annual tourism sector performance report shows arrivals rose from 1,483,752 in 2022 to 1,951,185 in 2023, a 31.5 percent increase.

This is however way less compared to the previous year (2021-2022) when the numbers grew by about 71 per cent.

August recorded the highest number of visitors at 11 per cent of the total arrivals, attributed to the wildebeest migration experience in Maasai Mara around late July to August.

The growth is attributed to the good value for money perception by tourists, implying their belief in the country to offer quality experiences, services and attractions relative to the cost of their travel.

“Affordability of travel in Kenya is also a significant factor influencing the increase in tourist numbers,” the report reads.

The arrivals are attributed to the country’s positioning as a safe destination which is crucial in attracting tourists.

The perception according to the report may result from effective safety measures, low crime rates in tourist areas and the country’s commitment to providing a secure environment for visitors.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport  registered the highest number, at 69 per cent of the total arrivals followed by Mombasa International Airport at eight per cent.

Most tourists using the road as mode of transport came through Busia Border, at eight per cent of the total arrivals, followed by Namanga Border at six per cent and Malaba at two per cent.

A total of 4,000 visitors used water as a mode of transport through Kilindini Seaport, Shimoni Seaport and Kisumu Pier.

USA was the top source market in the period under review with 265,310 tourists, which was 14 per cent of the total, surpassing the 2019 mark when it yielded 245,437 arrivals.

Uganda, Tanzania and the United Kingdom had  10, 8, and 8 per cent market shares, respectively.

Worth noting, is the Uganda market performance, whose extent of recovery was at 90 per cent, having yielded Kenya 223,010 arrivals in 2019.

The other source markets with a notable number of visitor arrivals were India, Germany, Italy, China, Somalia and Rwanda.

“A total of 13 of the 30 top market performers were from Africa which together had a share of 60 per cent of the total,” the report reads.

Holiday was the top reason why most travellers visited Kenya in the period under review, at 45 per cent.

It was followed by those visiting friends and relatives, at 24 per cent of the total.

Arrivals on business and MICE came at a close third with 24 per cent of the total visitation.

There was also a good number of visitors for other purposes such as religion, education, medical, employment and sporting activities.

Additionally, five per cent were visitors who entered the country while on transit to their final destinations.

Source: The-Star

Dubai sees 18 percent rise in overnight visitors to 3.67 million in first two months of 2024.

The latest figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) revealed an annual increase of 18 percent in the number of visitors in the first two months of 2024. During January and February, Dubai received 3.67 million visitors, with 1.77 million visitors in January and 1.9 million visitors in February.

Origin of visitors

Western Europe was at the forefront of visitors to Dubai in the two months. Tourists from Western Europe constituted 21 percent of the total number of visitors to Dubai, or about 773,000 tourists. South Asia followed with 604,000 visitors, constituting 17 percent of the total number of tourists. Then came the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with 549,000 visitors, constituting 15 percent of the total.

Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe ranked fourth, with 530,000 visitors, constituting 14 percent of the total number of tourists in Dubai. In fifth place, visitors from the Middle East and North Africa reached 448,000, constituting 12 percent of the total. Meanwhile, visitors from North and Southeast Asia recorded a share of 9 percent or about 340,000 visitors in Dubai.

The number of tourists arriving to Dubai from the Americas reached 240,000, making up 7 percent of the total. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Africa reached 138,000, or about 4 percent of the total. Moreover, 53,000 visitors from Australia came to Dubai in January and February, making up about 1 percent of the total.

Hospitality sector surges

By the end of February, the number of hotel rooms in Dubai reached 151,269 in 826 establishments, compared to 148,450 rooms in 813 establishments by the end of February 2023. The average hotel occupancy in Dubai reached 87.1 percent, compared to 84.4 percent during the first two months of 2023. Meanwhile, the number of rooms booked exceeded 7.78 million, compared to about 7.28 million rooms during the first two months of 2023. Besides, the average length of stays reached 3.8 hotel nights during January and February 2024.

Notably, the number of 5-star hotel rooms in Dubai reached 52,118 in 161 establishments, accounting for 35 percent of the total number of hotel rooms. Meanwhile, the number of 4-star rooms reached 43,792 in 197 establishments, and the number of one- and three-star hotel rooms reached 29,037 in 275 establishments. The number of luxury hotel apartment rooms reached 13,764, and the number of medium-level hotel apartment rooms reached 12,558.

During the first two months of 2024, the average daily price of a hotel room in Dubai reached AED664, a 9 percent increase compared to AED609 during the corresponding period of 2023. Meanwhile, the average revenue from available rooms reached AED578, a 12 percent increase compared to AED514 in the first two months of 2023.

Source: Economy Middle East.

Dubai hospitality sector sets the pace for growth.

The year 2024 will see the opening of 31 new hotels in Dubai, while 2025 is expected to add 16 new hotels to the mix. This translates to a cumulative total of 851 by the end of 2024 and 867 by the end of 2025, a new report from Cavendish Maxwell says.

The emirate kick-started the year with the openings of ‘One & Only One Za’abeel’ (370 keys – Luxury), the ‘Mercure Dubai Deira’ (152 keys – Upper Midscale), and ‘The Lana Dubai Dorchester Collection’ (225 keys – Luxury).

Despite global conflicts and recent regional unrest, Dubai’s economy, driven by key sectors, such as tourism, remained steadfast in its recovery, the report said.

In 2023, the city welcomed 17.15 million overnight visitors, surpassing its previous high of 16.73 million in 2019 and the 14.36 million recorded in 2022.

Moreover, the tourism sector’s GDP contribution is expected to have nearly doubled this year from 2021 to 36.1%, and is forecasted to reach 2019 levels once again, by 2024.

To continue driving the upward trajectory of tourism in the country, the UAE has set ambitious goals in its National Tourism Strategy 2031, aiming to position itself as a top global destination by 2031.

The strategy aims to boost the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP by AED 450 billion ($122 billion), attract investments worth AED 100 billion, and welcome 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031. It also naturally plays into the Dubai Economic Agenda – D33.

In early 2023, the Dubai government unveiled its D33 Economic Agenda, with the goal of doubling the city’s economy within the next decade and solidifying its position among the top three global cities for travel and business. The tools underpinning this initiative are increasing foreign trade and foreign direct investment.

Dubai Tourism’s recent performance and future ambitions have been recognised globally, with the city being ranked as the No 1 global destination in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year.

Additionally, Dubai has been ranked first regionally and sixth globally as the best city in the world in the World’s Best Cities Report 2024. These accolades underscore Dubai’s commitment to tourism excellence and its status as a top global destination.

The growth recorded by Dubai Tourism in 2023 has certainly played an essential role in giving the city’s hospitality and real estate sectors a solid boost.

Dubai’s Airports

All air traffic in and out of Dubai is managed by two international airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

In 2023, DXB surpassed pre-pandemic levels of passenger traffic, handling 86.9 million passengers. Forecasts suggest that by the end of 2024, this number could reach an estimated 88.8 million, nearing the record high of 89.1 million set in 2018.

Tourism Demand in Dubai

Dubai’s appeal as a tourist destination has been steadily increasing. In 2022, the city welcomed 14.36 million international overnight visitors, marking a 97% increase from 2021 and reaching 86% of pre-pandemic levels.

This upward trend continued into 2023, with 17.15 million visitors, a 19.4% year-on-year increase.

Source Markets for Dubai Tourism

In Q3 2023, India remained the largest source market for overnight visitors in Dubai, accounting for 14% of the total, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia, each at 7%.

Among the top ten source markets, China saw a 304.4% year-on-year increase, followed by Russia at 77.5% and Germany at 49.6%.

Notably, Saudi Arabia and Oman experienced drops in visitor numbers by 5.6% and 24.9%, respectively.

The Supply Side

Keeping up with the rise in tourism levels in Dubai, the hospitality industry has successfully adjusted supply to cater to increased demand. By the first half of 2023, the total number of hospitality establishments in Dubai had risen to 813, with 148,711 keys. Towards the end of the year, the total number of establishments stood at 820, with 149,685 keys ready to welcome guests.

Evolution in Keys

The number of hotel rooms saw a significant increase in 2021, with the largest growth during the recovery period at 8.7%.

Momentum continued in 2022 with a 6.2% increase, reaching a total of 146,996 rooms.

In 2023, there was a more modest increase of 2.2%, bringing the total room inventory to 149,685 rooms.

Room Supply by Hotel Type

Luxury hotel apartments saw the highest room supply increase yearon-year in 2023, soaring by 5.6%. 5 Star hotels experienced a 4.5% growth, while 4 Star hotels recorded a moderate 1.8% increase.

As of 2023, 67% of the current room supply falls within the Luxury, Upper Upscale, and Upscale classes, while the Upper Midscale and Midscale segments account for approximately one-third (27%) of the total inventory.

During the year, approximately 73% of the new supply was in the Luxury and Upper Upscale segments.

Openings in 2023 included Atlantis The Royal, the Cheval Maison, NH Collection Dubai the Palm, and the voco Dubai, The Palm. The Palm contributed approximately 1,600 new rooms to the current supply increase.

In 2024 luxury supply is expected to experience the most significant growth with 12 new openings planned, adding approximately 3,000 rooms.

Mapping Future Supply

Our estimates suggest that 2024 will see the opening of 31 new hotels in Dubai, while 2025 is expected to add 16 new hotels to the mix. This translates to a cumulative total of 851 by the end of 2024 and 867 by the end of 2025.

An important caveat to note is that the 2024 figures do not include projects that have already opened, such as the ‘One & Only One Za’abeel’ (370 keys – Luxury), the ‘Mercure Dubai Deira’ (152 keys – Upper Midscale), and ‘The Lana Dubai Dorchester Collection’ (225 keys – Luxury).

Market Performance

In 2022, occupancy rates at 73% nearly reached pre-pandemic levels at 75%. Dubai nearly reached pre-pandemic levels.

By the end of 2023, Dubai’s hospitality market achieved an outstanding average occupancy of approximately 77%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Occupancy levels across Dubai increased by 6.4% year-on-year, with the Upscale and Upper Upscale segments noting the largest increases of 7.6% and 6.5% respectively. The Dubai Luxury sector saw an increase of 4.5% compared to 2022.

Average Daily Rate

In contrast to occupancy, 2023 saw market-wide ADR levels stagnating, recording only a minor increase of less than half a percent year-on-year. This is despite Dubai hosting the biannual AirShow as well as the one-off COP28 in November 2023.

The overall market ADR stood at approximately AED 700.

Breaking it down further, the Luxury and the Upper-Upscale segments saw ADR levels dropping by 1.4% and 0.4% respectively, whereas the Upscale and Upper-Midscale hotels experienced increases in ADRs of 5.3% and 3.6% respectively.

ADRs in Dubai saw a compounded annual average growth rate of 5.85% in the period 2018 – 2023.

A Look at Other Emirates – Occupancy 2023

Economic momentum carried forward from 2022 and 2023 saw a surge in demand-driven performance across the Emirates. All Emirates recorded an upswing in occupancy with figures well above the 70% mark. Abu Dhabi Resorts and Sharjah were the exception, achieving just below the benchmark.

RAK recorded the highest level of increase year-on-year of about 20%, with average occupancy reaching 74% (up from 61% in 2022) and surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels at 72%.

As per the RAK Tourism Development Authority (Raktda), the Emirate welcomed a record 1.2 million arrivals (+7.8%) and recorded 4.35 million guest nights (+23.2%).

Average Daily Rate by Emirates – 2023

Abu Dhabi’s hotel market recorded an upward trajectory in 2023 with ADR levels increasing by approximately 16% year-on-year.

Contrary to increases in occupancy levels across the Emirates, ADRs declined over the same period between 1.3% to 7.4% respectively.

Source: Trade Arabia.

Kenya’s WRC Safari Rally fuels intra-African Tourism push.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is seizing the marketing opportunity presented by the upcoming WRC Safari Rally to promote destination Kenya and stimulate travel, especially in the East African region.

KTB Ag. Chief Executive Officer, John Chirchir says that the world-famous motorsport tournament has immense potential for tourism growth and is among the board’s key strategies to boost arrivals from the wider East African region.

This, he noted, goes by the increasing number of tourist arrivals from the neighboring East African countries which now rank among Kenya’s top source markets.

“The upcoming WRC Safari Rally is a prime opportunity to showcase Kenya and the East African region’s unique tourism offerings to motorsports enthusiasts and leisure travelers alike. A source market like Uganda now firmly ranks second to the USA in tourist arrivals to Kenya, having contributed 125,556 visitors in 2023 compared to 87,448 in 2022 – a 43.6% growth,” Chirchir said on March 26.

Chirchir added: “Tanzania and Rwanda also feature prominently among our top ten source markets. We want to further stimulate interest and travel in an important regional bloc for us.”

As part of this integrated experiential marketing campaign, KTB is hosting several motorsports fans from Uganda ahead of the WRC Safari Rally set to roar into action this week.

The 150 motorsports fans drawn from various rally groups among Uganda’s motorsports community would later be treated to a breakfast meet and greet in Naivasha ahead of their curated itineraries that will offer them a glimpse of the country’s diverse tourism offerings.

Chirchir noted that this initiative is aimed at capturing the interests of a well-defined niche market with high potential.

“There is no better way to experience the excitement of the WRC Safari Rally than being part of it. Uganda’s fervor for motorsports extends beyond its borders, influencing the broader African motorsports culture. We want to give the Uganda motorsports fans a first-hand feel of what Kenya has to offer beyond the adrenaline-filled rally tracks,” he said.

Besides marketing the East Africa region as a single tourism circuit, the KTB boss was optimistic about such initiatives in further complementing and boosting intra-Africa travel.

The Safari Rally is slated for March 28-31, KTB will be looking to boost destination visibility and showcase Kenya’s unique tourism offerings to motorsports enthusiasts and leisure travelers alike.

The board in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and the WRC recently hosted top drivers for an excursion trip to the Maasai Mara National Reserve as part of this integrated campaign to immerse key influencers in the quintessential Kenyan safari experience.

Source: Independent.

June Chepkemei Appointed New Kenya Tourism Board CEO

June Chepkemei, the former Acting Managing Director at the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

Chepkemei will hold the position for the next three years, succeeding John Chirchir who has been at the helm of the tourism board in acting capacity since November 2022.

Her appointment was confirmed via a gazette notice date March 19, 2024. “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37(1) of the Tourism Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife appoints June Teclar Chepkemei to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board,” the notice reads in part.

Chepkemei was appointed Acting KenInvest MD in January 2023 by then Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

She was at the time tasked with the responsibility of spearheading strategies to attract and grow investments to Kenya from USD 500 million to USD 10 billion by end of 2023.

In 2022, Chepkemei successfully led Kenya’s team in a fruitful bid to host the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) world conference slated for 2024.

She was also part of the team that was charged with delivering Technology and Innovation Jamhuri in 2022.

She has served as a member of the Taskforce on the Kenya Media Policy Guidelines, following her appointment by then ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs CS in 2021.

Chepkemei was named among the Top 25 Women in Digital 2021 having pioneered the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative that brought together various industry stakeholders to support the commercialization of research, innovation and the development of new solutions and enterprises within Konza Technopolis.

In 2017, June was appointed as the Project Coordinator for a New Institute of Strategic National Importance, Kenya Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), that was developed by the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Before joining Konza, Chepkemei was the Communications Business Partner at Safaricom Limited, after a six year stint in the media industry where she rose through the ranks from an intern to become a Business News Editor.

She holds a Master’s degree in Communications Studies from Moi University, a Bachelor’s Degree in PR & Communications from Moi University, Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing of the UK, and an Executive Certificate on Innovation from Stanford Centre For Professional Development.

She is also a Chartered Marketer by the Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK.

Source: Citizen Digital  

Dubai Tourism CEO on the Power of Bollywood, Indian Visas and Cricket.

Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim joked that Dubai is an Indian city.

Speaking at Skift India Summit 2024 on Wednesday in Gurugram, India, Kazim had a point. Dubai and India are closely linked when it comes to Indians living in Dubai, as well as cultural and travel ties. Much of Dubai’s modern success as a tourism hub grows out the many Indians choosing to stay there.

Since 2015, India has reigned as Dubai’s largest inbound travel market, with around 2.5 million Indians coming into Dubai in 2023. The emirate runs 75 flights a day to and from India, though, according to Kazim, that’s still not enough.

“There is a surge in demand for Dubai from India,” he said. “The culture between India and the UAE is so strong. The historical relationship is so strong. It’s natural for a lot of Emiratis to speak Hindi fluently.”

In February, Dubai introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa for inbound Indian travelers, with visas being one of the best ways Dubai can demonstrate its intent to push travel.

Kazim explained: “We’ve rolled out many visas. We want people here for weekend getaways, sports, tourism. We want people here. We have a lot of visiting friends and relatives travel as well.”

He cited visas as an example of governmental-private sector collaboration.

“The government leads the way and the private sector follows. We have a constant dialogue with the private sector on how we can make their lives smoother,” he said “Visa policies are an example of that.”

Big on Bollywood

In 2022, Dubai Tourism launched a global campaign with Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan to promote the emirate and its travel spots. The video has attracted 10 million views.

According to Kazim, Bollywood stands as a huge travel generator for Dubai, serving as an “organic” way to drive interest.

“Bollywood has done a lot for Dubai,” Kazim said. “It’s more than just SRK (Shah Rukh Khan, India’s biggest movie star) as well. Dubai was always mentioned positively by India, there’s a positive synergy. SRK has that organic energy. There’s no act that he likes Dubai — he genuinely does.”

“Bollywood goes well beyond the boundaries of India,” he said. “Same in Middle East, same in Europe, same in U.S.”

India Premier League

Rumors cropped up earlier this month that the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be moved to Dubai in April and May.

IPL was held in the UAE in 2020 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as India was badly hit by the pandemic at that time.

Kazim did not confirm the claim, but said: “Dubai has always hosted IPL games, we know the importance of it for the India communities.”

Source: skift.