Mombasa governor Abdulswammad Shariff Nassir has called for the implementation of the open skies policy to enable international flights to land directly in Mombasa.
Nassir says this will accelerate growth of the tourism sector in the region as more international tourists will be coming to the island.
“We are pushing for the open sky policy so that Mombasa can have access to 320 cities in the world,” Nassir said
Mombasa is one of the coastal counties depending on the tourism industry to generate revenue and source of employment for thousands of residents.
The industry suffered a blow due to the coronavirus pandemic which led to the suspension of travel, therefore crippling the sector.
Governor Nassir, however, noted that he has held meetings with players in the industry to strategize on how the business will stay afloat, saying that easing restrictions and introducing incentives among other interventions will help attract global flights land at the Mombasa International Airport.
Stakeholders want more scheduled flights to Mombasa but the challenge facing some of the operators include frustrations in applying for licenses.
Some of the airlines that used to travel to Mombasa directly include Qatar Airways, KLM Royal Dutch, and Emirates among others.
“We need to improve international tourism and by bringing these airlines then it directly translates to foreign exchange and opportunists for our people. This will be a game changer,” Nassir added
Kenya’s tourism sector is set for a significant boost following the unveiling of nine regional tourism circuits by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
Launched as part of the broader Tembea Kenya initiative, the circuits aim to diversify Kenya’s tourism offerings and promote lesser-known attractions, targeting both domestic and international tourists.
These circuits, covering all 47 counties, mark a renewed effort to reimagine the country’s tourism landscape and present Kenya as a destination that offers a wide array of experiences ranging from adventure and culture to eco-tourism and wellness.
The launch event, held in Kisumu County, was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, who underscored the importance of the circuits in reinvigorating Kenya’s tourism industry.
Miano emphasized that these circuits would provide travelers with holistic and immersive experiences, taking them on a journey through Kenya’s diverse attractions. She highlighted the initiative’s focus on aligning with global travel trends, while emphasizing conservation and sustainability.
The circuits are designed to cater to various niche markets, including adventure, sports, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism, offering something for every type of traveler.
The nine tourism circuits span different regions: the Nairobi Circuit, Central Kenya Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Northern Circuit, Western Circuit, Southern Circuit, North Rift Circuit, South Rift Circuit, and Eastern Circuit.
Each circuit showcases unique features from the respective regions, ranging from Nairobi’s urban culture to the beaches and marine life of the Coastal Circuit, the desert landscapes in the Northern Circuit, and the rich cultural heritage of the Western Circuit.
This regional approach is expected to encourage travelers to explore Kenya in a more immersive way, highlighting attractions that were previously overlooked or underdeveloped.
One of the core goals of the Tembea Kenya initiative is to stimulate domestic tourism by encouraging Kenyans to explore the beauty and diversity of their own country. To achieve this, Miano announced plans for targeted marketing campaigns to promote the circuits among local travelers.
She urged Kenyans to savor the diverse experiences their home regions have to offer, and revealed that the Ministry will be launching a nationwide photo contest, inviting citizens to share images that capture the essence of their regions. The initiative not only promotes tourism but also encourages pride in local culture and heritage.
The unveiling of the nine circuits coincided with Kenya Tourism Week celebrations, which took place in Kisumu County. As part of the celebrations, various events and activities were organized to highlight the unique tourist attractions of the region, including visits to Ndeere Island and tree planting at Kajulu Hills.
Cultural showcases, such as fashion shows and street art displays, also took center stage. The involvement of local youth was a key element of the celebrations, with hackathons and other programs providing platforms for young people to demonstrate their innovation and creativity in promoting tourism.
Narok County Governor, Patrick Ole Ntutu, who chairs the Council of Governors’ Tourism and Wildlife Committee, expressed strong support for the new circuits.
He called for increased government investment in the tourism sector, pointing out that tourism, if properly developed, has the potential to become the largest contributor to Kenya’s GDP and a major source of employment, particularly for the youth.
Ntutu emphasized the immense potential of the tourism sector in driving economic growth across counties, and he pledged to advocate for greater prioritization of tourism at the county level.
According to Ntutu, the new circuits provide an opportunity for counties to harness their unique attractions and contribute to the national economy.
Youth engagement and participation were key themes at the event, as evidenced by the tourism excellence awards that were presented. Categories like Start-up Company of the Year, Conservation Champion of the Year, Travel Content Creator of the Year, Peace Advocate, and Community Impact Award recognized the contributions of individuals and organizations making a positive impact in tourism and conservation.
The youth-driven hackathon also garnered attention, producing an innovative technology-based solution for conference packaging, which could further enhance Kenya’s tourism sector.
Principal Secretary for Tourism, John Ololtuaa, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with county governments to enhance the competitiveness of tourism destinations across all regions.
He noted that the circuits would enable the Ministry to focus efforts on increasing bed nights, lengthening visitor stays, encouraging repeat visits, and ultimately improving the overall visitor experience.
By collaborating with counties, the Ministry aims to address any existing gaps in infrastructure and services, ensuring the growth of tourism nationwide.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO, June Chepkemei, emphasized that the KTB would play a key role in marketing the circuits to highlight Kenya’s diverse attractions. She pointed out that promoting tourism in all counties would drive inclusive growth and solidify Kenya’s position as a must-visit destination for both local and international travelers.
Chepkemei highlighted that by showcasing the unique offerings of every region, the circuits will spread tourism benefits more evenly, helping to uplift local economies and create opportunities for communities across the country.
The unveiling of the nine tourism circuits marks a major milestone in Kenya’s tourism strategy, offering travelers new, exciting, and diverse experiences.
By promoting regional tourism and focusing on emerging travel trends, Kenya is poised to enhance its reputation as a top global destination while boosting domestic travel. The circuits have energized the tourism sector, with county governments, local communities, and youth actively participating in shaping the future of Kenya’s tourism industry.
As the Kenya Tourism Week celebrations come to a close, it is clear that the country’s tourism landscape is set to enter a dynamic new phase, with the circuits playing a crucial role in driving sustainable growth and enhancing the visitor experience.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced free entry to all game parks and reserves for Kenyans on Saturday, September 28, as part of the UN World Tourism Week celebrations kicking off on Monday.
This initiative aims to promote domestic tourism and encourages Kenyans to explore and appreciate the nation’s rich heritage, according to Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
During a World Rhino Day event at Sereolipi School in Samburu County on Sunday, CS Miano emphasized the importance of this opportunity.
“The culmination of this significant event will allow Kenyans free access to all game parks and reserves on Saturday, September 28, 2024,” she stated.
Miano urged citizens to take full advantage of the chance to discover the country’s natural attractions.
“I encourage Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to see what our parks and reserves have to offer,” she added. The CS also reminded visitors to adhere to safety regulations while exploring these wildlife-rich areas.
This year’s UN World Tourism Day will focus on the crucial role of the tourism sector in promoting peace, fostering cultural understanding, and supporting reconciliation efforts worldwide. The theme, Tourism and Peace, underscores the connection between travel and peaceful coexistence.
Regarding rhino conservation, Miano highlighted Kenya’s commitment to protecting rhino populations and other wildlife for future generations.
At the Ministry level, we have embraced innovative technologies such as drones and forensic evidence to strengthen our rhino conservation efforts,” she explained.
#WorldRhinoDay is an international ecological observance celebrated on 22nd September to raise awareness of the need to protect rhinos.
Together with our dedicated partners, we are committed to ensuring that rhino populations continue to grow and thrive in their natural… pic.twitter.com/vh4ByeF4AQ
“I assure the global community that Kenya will continue playing its part in wildlife conservation, especially in expanding rhino ranges and ensuring their protection for posterity.”
Kenya’s Rhino Population
Kenya is a vital habitat for the eastern black rhino subspecies, which can be found in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Sera Community Conservancy, and five private sanctuaries in the Laikipia region. Laikipia alone is home to over half of Kenya’s total rhino population.
CS Miano noted that the implementation of the previous six editions of the rhino recovery action plan, along with the ongoing seventh edition, has increased black rhino populations by over 100 percent.
In 1989, Kenya’s rhino population stood at fewer than 400. By the end of 2022, estimates had surged to an impressive 1,890 rhinos, including 966 black rhinos, 922 white rhinos, and two northern whites.
Kenya currently ranks third in black rhino population, following South Africa and Namibia.
Miano indicated that the ongoing national wildlife census may reveal even higher rhino numbers than those recorded in 2022. She proudly noted, “Kenya is honored to host the world’s last remaining female northern white rhino, following the death of Sudan in 2018. His stuffed figurine now resides at the Nairobi National Museums as a lasting relic of an extraordinary species in our diverse wildlife portfolio.”
Additionally, Miano expressed optimism about the efforts of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute and other global researchers working to revive the northern white rhino from extinction.
“This ambitious and commendable effort aims to create northern white rhino embryos from genetic material and eventually implant them into southern white rhino females to produce calves,” she said.
Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost the emirate’s medical tourism sector.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, signed the MoU in the presence of several officials from both sides.
Areas of cooperation
The MoU aims to enhance mutual cooperation to implement a range of strategic initiatives that support and achieve the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. This includes attracting investments to accelerate the growth of the healthcare sector in the emirate and showcasing the best healthcare services available including digital health, supporting business development for potential investors, and accelerating their business growth journey.
It covers investor-related services such as business registration, as well as providing logistical and organisational support in accordance with regulations and each party’s jurisdiction.
Under this MoU, the two parties will work to build and establish a broad network of international partners to support Dubai’s economy by attracting local and foreign investors to the healthcare sector in the emirate. They will contribute to enhancing medical tourism by promoting opportunities for official delegations to visit healthcare facilities in Dubai, in accordance with the facilities’ regulations.
Additionally, they will work to advance the exchange of knowledge and research in the healthcare sector, as well as explore potential investment opportunities.
The parties will also support activities related to the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which is overseen by DET. This programme aims to attract international conferences and meetings to the city, as well as enhance collaboration in local and international events designed to promote and market the emirate. Both parties will focus on attracting major global medical conferences and strengthening cooperation in the fields of exhibitions and workshops related to medical tourism.
Growth in medical tourism
A recent report by DHA revealed that Dubai attracted 691,478 medical tourists from around the world last year, with their healthcare expenditures surpassing Dh1.034 billion – outperforming 2022 figures, when 674,000 medical tourists spent Dh992 million.
In addition, the indirect revenues from medical tourism last year exceeded Dh2.305 billion, fuelling significant contributions to Dubai’s GDP by driving growth across key sectors such as aviation, hotels, hospitality, telecommunications, and beyond
Almarri stated: “The signing of this MoU with the Dubai Health Authority is a step in this direction and will strengthen our ability to build relationships with a wide network of partners to attract a significant segment of the target audience. We look forward to working together to attract investments for pioneering projects in the healthcare sector, host major global medical conferences and meetings, and make Dubai the preferred destination for travellers seeking top-quality services.”
Al Ketbi said: “Dubai has leveraged all its resources, including advanced infrastructure, technology, smart solutions, systems, legislation, and facilitation, to create promising investment opportunities in the healthcare sector and provide a secure healthcare environment. This, in turn, has attracted a significant number of international hospitals and leading specialised centres to choose Dubai as their base, as well as individuals seeking a high quality of life and well-being.”
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 18 – As we approach World Tourism Day, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the role Travel Management Companies (TMCs) play in fostering justice and peace.
TMCs Roundtable at KATA Offices: Industry leaders tackle travel sector challenges, brainstorm innovative solutions/ Photo Credits: Bryan Obala
This year’s theme encourages a deep and thoughtful examination of tourism’s impact on various global issues.
For Kenya, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, this reflection is especially pertinent. As the Managing Director of Hemingways Travel, I am excited to explore how these organizations can drive positive change by addressing migration, social equity, climate justice, diplomacy, and cultural preservation.
Kenya’s tourism sector is a significant economic driver, but it also brings complex challenges.
The influx of visitors can impact local communities in various ways, necessitating a focus on equitable benefit distribution.
Travel agencies should prioritize supporting local businesses, fostering fair employment opportunities, and advocating for policies that safeguard vulnerable populations.
By promoting local engagement and ensuring that tourism revenues are channeled back into the communities that host travelers, they can help bridge the gap between tourists and residents, fostering a more inclusive and equitable tourism model.
Hemingways has been at the forefront of supporting rugby in Kenya and has partnered with some institutions in assisting less privileged members of the society in Kenya with food and basic commodities.
As a TMC we have been championing carbon emission reduction by ensuring our clients have adequate information of the carbon generated on all of their travel activities together with possible offset mechanisms.
Furthermore, addressing migration issues is critical. In Kenya, migration from rural to urban areas can strain infrastructure and resources.
TMCs can contribute to easing these pressures by developing tourism initiatives in less-visited regions, thereby distributing economic benefits more evenly and supporting rural development.
Encouraging travel to diverse destinations helps balance the influx of visitors and stimulates growth in underrepresented areas.
Climate change poses a significant threat to Kenya, with its impacts felt through extreme weather events and environmental degradation.
We play a crucial role in promoting sustainability within the tourism industry.
By advocating for and implementing eco-friendly practices, supporting conservation projects, and educating travelers about responsible behaviors, these entities can contribute to climate justice.
We must lead by example, incorporating green practices into our operations, such as reducing carbon footprints and supporting sustainable transportation options.
Collaborating with local conservation organizations to create eco-tourism experiences allows travelers to directly contribute to environmental protection.
By making sustainability a core aspect of our business, travel services can help set a benchmark for the industry and drive meaningful progress toward climate justice.
Furthermore, addressing migration issues is critical. In Kenya, migration from rural to urban areas can strain infrastructure and resources.
TMCs can contribute to easing these pressures by developing tourism initiatives in less-visited regions, thereby distributing economic benefits more evenly and supporting rural development.
Encouraging travel to diverse destinations helps balance the influx of visitors and stimulates growth in underrepresented areas.
Climate change poses a significant threat to Kenya, with its impacts felt through extreme weather events and environmental degradation.
We play a crucial role in promoting sustainability within the tourism industry.
By advocating for and implementing eco-friendly practices, supporting conservation projects, and educating travelers about responsible behaviors, these entities can contribute to climate justice.
We must lead by example, incorporating green practices into our operations, such as reducing carbon footprints and supporting sustainable transportation options.
Collaborating with local conservation organizations to create eco-tourism experiences allows travelers to directly contribute to environmental protection.
By making sustainability a core aspect of our business, travel services can help set a benchmark for the industry and drive meaningful progress toward climate justice.
Travel businesses have a key role in developing tourism that celebrates and preserves local traditions rather than commodifying them.
We should work closely with local communities to create tourism initiatives that highlight and protect their cultural heritage.
This includes supporting traditional festivals, crafts, and indigenous practices.
By promoting authentic experiences and educating travelers about the importance of cultural preservation, we can contribute positively to the safeguarding of Kenya’s cultural richness.
In anticipation of World Tourism Day, it is crucial for TMCs to reaffirm our commitment to justice and peace through the following actions:
Promote Inclusive Tourism: Ensure that tourism benefits are shared fairly among local communities. Support local enterprises, create equitable job opportunities, and advocate for inclusive policies.
Champion Sustainability: Adopt and promote eco-friendly practices across our operations. Encourage clients to choose sustainable travel options and engage in conservation efforts.
Foster Diplomacy: Use tourism as a platform for cultural exchange and international understanding.
Facilitate respectful and meaningful interactions between travelers and local communities.
Preserve Cultural Heritage: Collaborate with local communities to develop tourism that respects and celebrates their cultural heritage.
Educate travelers on the importance of cultural preservation.
As World Tourism Day approaches, let us embrace this opportunity to reflect on and enhance our role in promoting justice and peace.
By addressing migration, social equity, climate justice, diplomacy, and cultural preservation, travel management companies can lead the way in creating a tourism industry that benefits all stakeholders and contributes positively to Kenya and the broader global community.
Together, we can harness the power of tourism to foster a more just and peaceful world.
Hemingways Travel Managing Director, Joseph Kithitu
Experience a new level of luxury when you fly to Dubai or Democratic Republic of Congo on the Airbus A330. Synonymous with comfort, relaxation and class, the Airbus A 330-300 is perfect for anyone looking for enhanced comfort as they travel. Guests can also enjoy our newly upgraded In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) selection featuring movies, shows and games. Kenya Airways has deployed this luxurious aircraft on the daily flights to and from Dubai as well as to Kinshasa, five times a week. It has a capacity of 46 business class flatbed seats for those who prefer tranquility and luxury and 203 economy class seats. The wide body provides ample space for belly cargo as well as overhead space.
Enjoy elevated comfort on your next flight to Dubai or Kinshasa with the Airbus A330-300.
Though better known for her iconic safaris and exquisite beach experiences, Kenya has huge untapped niche tourism potential awaiting exploration. Niche tourism—a preserve of adventure seekers looking for distinct experiences and enthusiasts of a range of thrills and penchants—presents an opportunity that Kenya’s tourism should consider veering into more intentionally. But which are Kenya’s most viable niche tourism offerings? Let’s consider six of the many.
Cultural tourism can draw from Kenya’s vast traditional heritage with her close to 50 people groups. This form of tourism feeds off the curiosity of visitors desirous of immersions built around unique time-garlanded antiquity of such people as Waswahili or the Maa communities. That is not to say each community does not have its distinctive allures tenable for cultural tourism. Far from it! The best way of embellishing this particular niche of tourism is to include homestays and cultural tours.
On eco-cum-conservation tourism, Kenya’s noteworthy biodiversity and keen commitment to conservation offer a reasonable foundation for eco-tourism. This niche enchants eco-conscious travellers who have a lot to sample in Kenya.
Adventure and sports tourism offers a low-hanging option for Kenya. Beyond our famed world-class athletes, marathoners and long-distance runners especially, Kenya is ripe for mountaineering, scuba diving, bird-watching, rock climbing, kite surfing and water rafting and more.
Kenya’s culinary diversity is excellent fodder for gastronomy tourism with her wide variety of flavourful dishes. Tourists can explore local food markets, take cooking classes and enjoy food tours that showcase Kenyan cuisine, from traditional delights to modern fusion dishes.
Kenya’s credentials as a travel hub with relatively good weather all year round makes for a perfect wellness and relaxation haven. From relaxation retreats to medical tourism, Kenya has what it takes to grow the wellness tourism niche.
Bird-watching tourism, is a rich niche tourism option for Kenya, courtesy of our diverse ecosystems that include wetlands, forests and grasslands where a wide variety of bird species dwell. Developing bird-watching trails, offering guided tours and promoting bird festivals can easily attract bird enthusiasts from around the world.
For niche tourism to thrive and attract good numbers, we need a strategic partnership with the private sector and feasible business models.
Private sector players are well placed to invest in accommodation facilities that are in sync with specific adventures tourists attracted by different niches would appreciate. For instance, hikers and bird-watchers are more likely to embrace camping sites with tented accommodation as opposed to tourists seeking medical tourism. This reality calls for thoughtfully designed facilities and experiences that offer entrepreneurs opportunities for investments. Transport is yet another area that the private sector can invest in to offer appropriate modes of moving tourists to their destination, be it in luxury vehicles of rugged carriages. Besides, for certain niche tourism experiences we need investors to set up such facilities as yoga studios, spas, botanical gardens, nature trails and so on.
It is one thing setting up niche tourism products but quite another telling the world what Kenya has on offer. Therefore, the private sector has its work cut out in marketing and branding so that tourists in all corners of the earth get the necessary information packaged captivatingly for uptake.
We were honored to welcome the Malaysian High Commissioner, Amb. Ruzami Mohamad, for a recent courtesy visit, where we discussed some thrilling developments in the world of travel. As part of this meeting, the High Commissioner confirmed the exciting news that AirAsia is expanding its wings to Nairobi, with the introduction of a new direct flight from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur. This new route is a game-changer for Kenyan travelers and our member agents, offering numerous opportunities for expanding travel options and services.
From left to right: KATA Board Director Said Tahir, CEO Nicanor Sabula, Honorary Secretary Margaret Gitonga presenting the KATA Travel Agents Directory to Malaysian High Commissioner to Kenya Ruzami Mohamad, KATA Vice Chairman Hamisi Hassan, and AirAsia representatives from Kenya. Photo credits: Bryan Obala.
Gateway to Asia Pacific
The launch of this direct flight doesn’t just reduce travel time and cost—it opens a door to a world of possibilities. Kuala Lumpur, a vibrant city known for its rich culture, towering skyscrapers, and world-class shopping, is now just a short journey away from Nairobi. But that’s not all. Kuala Lumpur serves as a key hub in Asia, connecting travelers to over 23 countries through AirAsia’s extensive network. This means that your clients can explore destinations like Thailand, Japan, South Korea, China, and beyond with ease, all from a single gateway.
Why This Matters to Our Members
The new route means more than just a new destination—it’s an opportunity to offer more diverse travel packages at competitive prices. With Kuala Lumpur as a starting point, your clients can now enjoy multi-destinations itineraries that are cost-effective and time-efficient. A flight that took over 19 hours is now going to be 9 hours, saving most of the travelers valuable time to maximize their leisure and business travel.
With Kuala Lumpur emerging as a financial and technological hub, your clients can now take advantage of more convenient travel for business meetings, conferences, and collaborations across Asia Pacific. This opens doors to new markets, expanding business travel services that our members can offer to corporate clients.
As always, KATA remains dedicated to ensuring that our members can capitalize on new opportunities and deliver exceptional experiences to travelers. We’re excited to see how this new direct route will help foster deeper connections between Kenya and Asia, and ultimately, drive growth in the travel industry.
Together with the Malaysian High Commission and AirAsia, we are excited to bring this new chapter in travel to life for all Kenyans. Get ready to help your clients explore Asia’s hidden gems, and let’s create unforgettable travel experiences!
By virtue of its unique natural landscapes, cultural charm, and diverse tourism experiences, Africa has become a hot tourist destination for Chinese tourists. In recent years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the continent.
Surging bookings for African trips
Data from Chinese online travel service platform Ctrip show that from February to August this year, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Africa has increased by about 1.2 times compared to the same period last year.
Statistics from Fliggy, another major online travel service platform in China, indicate that the booking volume for flights to Africa this year has nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, with flights to Egypt and Kenya experiencing the fastest growth rates of 236 percent and 167 percent, respectively.
An executive from Chinese online travel agency LY.com said that the average number of tourists traveling to Egypt per month between January and August this year increased by 200 percent compared to the same period last year.
In the past decade, the African tourism market has gradually become familiar to Chinese tourists, said Li Peng, an executive in charge of outbound long-haul business at Tuniu.com, also an online travel service provider in China.
The Chinese Lunar New Year holiday as well as winter and summer vacations are peak seasons for outbound travel, with a significant increase in demand for small-group and customized tours, according to Li Peng.
Li Mengran, the media and public relations manager of Beijing-based travel agency U-tour, said that the company’s services for tours of African destinations have seen a year-on-year increase of 30 percent to 35 percent in reservations. The summer vacation and September-October period have specifically seen increases, as they are the best times to witness the great animal migration in Africa.
The most visited African countries by Chinese tourists currently include Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Ghana, according to statistics from Ctrip.
Unique, diverse tourism experiences
“The allure of African tourism lies mainly in the experiences of returning to nature and seeking adventure,” said Li Peng.
According to Li Peng, the main attractions in the Northern African region are cultural and historical sites and desert landscapes. Eastern Africa is characterized by its wild natural environment and natural wonders. The highlight of Southern Africa tourism experiences is high-quality leisure travel.
Tourists can explore ancient sites or enjoy their vacations at beach resorts in Egypt, immerse themselves in the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Morocco, visit the Sahara Desert, and feast their eyes on the South African’s rich and varied natural beauty, Li Peng said.
Watching the awe-inspiring animal migration in Kenya and Tanzania is one of the most popular activities among Chinese tourists, Li Peng noted.
Chinese tourists’ tourism experiences in Africa have become more diverse and immersive, said Li Mengran, pointing out in addition to the traditional destinations of South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, tourists are traveling to more countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
The average duration of Chinese tourists’ visits to Africa has extended from 8-10 days to 14-18 days, allowing them to not only explore deep into national parks but also try activities like wild camping, yacht trips, and dune bashing, Li Mengran said.
During this summer, China Tourism Group (CTG), a large travel company in the country, organized a trip to Tanzania for Chinese tourists, who witnessed the great migration of animals in the Serengeti Plain, admired the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, visited the clove flower sea of Zanzibar Island, and also learned about the culture of local tribes.
Promising prospects
Although the cost of African tourism is relatively high, Africa is increasingly becoming a must-visit destination for more Chinese tourists, said Yang Jingsong, director of the international research institute of the China Tourism Academy.
Travel agencies are introducing a variety of themed travel products and convenient services, which are gaining favor among Chinese tourists, Yang said. It is believed that tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa will yield more fruitful results, he added.
The deepening tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa will foster the development of diverse, personalized, and high-quality tourism products and services catering to travelers eager to explore Africa, said Li Peng.
With the steady development of China-Africa cooperation, Africa will attract the attention of more Chinese tourists, said Han Jie, president of China Youth Travel Service (CYTS) Aoyou Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Qin Jing, vice president of Ctrip, said that China and Africa are highly complementary in tourism, with Africa holding strong appeal for Chinese tourists.
She believes that tourism cooperation between China and Africa will reach new heights, contributing to economic and trade exchanges, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and development for both sides.
The push to reduce the cost of air transport within East Africa has gained momentum with the East African Community submitting regulations to support liberalization of air transport.
The regulations highlighting how to leverage airfare, packing fees and other levies charged by airlines are to be submitted to the 19th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Transport, Communication and Meteorology (TCM) for adoption next month.
East African airlines, Kenya Airways, Ugandan Airlines, Air Tanzania and RwandAir, sometimes charge fares as high as $800 dollar for a return ticket between Kigali and Zanzibar. This should be far less.
This month, a ticket between Kigali and Zanzibar was $380 for one-way flight, and $562 for a round trip.
The proposed guidelines are meant to reduce airfares, save time on connecting flights and ease movement of people and cargo within the region.
Veronica Nduva, EAC Secretary-General, told The EastAfrican that once approved air transport services in the region will be liberalized and the partner states will subsequently be negotiating under multilateral air service agreements.”
Without an open airspace regime in place, African countries have been relying on bilateral air services agreements, presenting the challenges of multiple negotiations with several countries.
“The liberalization of the air transport operations in the region is expected to lower fares, improve connectivity, stimulate demand for air travel and cargo and eventually support the expansion of air transport capacities in the region,” Ms. Nduva said.
The private sector in East Africa has raised concerns that it takes more than 24 hours to connect between capitals of EAC partner states, the same duration one would take to fly to Australia.
“I have once taken 24 hours to fly from Kigali to Zanzibar when, in 24 hours, I’d have moved from Arusha to Australia,” said Dennis Karera, vice-chairperson of the East African Business Council.
“In 2015, we were requested by the heads of state to present a study on the opening of the skies but, 10 years later, we are still discussing. This is one item we need to take back to the summit level and try to resolve.”
Liberalization could open new routes and more frequencies that would eventually shorten the flying time between cities.
Part of the reason air travel is expensive and cumbersome within the EAC, and the rest of Africa is the failure by countries to ratify and implement the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
SAATM, which is a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063, is meant to create a single air transport market in Africa to advance the liberalization of civil aviation on the continent.
The SAATM was created to expedite the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, which provides for the liberalization of scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services within Africa and aims at removing restrictions on traffic rights, capacity and frequency between city pairs.
It has precedence over any multilateral or bilateral agreements on air services between state parties and focuses on internal market liberalization and fair competition as key development strategies while also addressing safety, security and environment challenges.
Ms. Nduva said that EAC partner states have committed to fully implement the SAATM as part of the Common Market Protocol and in line with the ongoing efforts by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) to operationalize the SAATM on the continent.
“Three EAC partner states, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Rwanda, have joined the SAATM. The remaining partner states have committed to finalize national consultations to join by December 2024,” the EAC boss said.
Tanzania has had the ratification on ice and has asked for more than five years to do so.
Uganda’s reluctance to join has been informed by a need to shield its national carrier from competition. But, early this year, Kampala changed its stance and is now keen to sign the SAATM “later in the year.” Authorities indicated that Uganda would join the open skies regime in the next financial year.
“We are left with approval by the Cabinet. Once that is done, we will be good to go,” said Fred Bamwesigye, director-general of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) at a meeting in Kampala early this year.
To date, 34 countries have signed up to the SAATM, representing over 80 percent of the aviation market in Africa.
Uganda plans to improve the Entebbe Airport as well as build infrastructure such as the Kabalega International Airport, to support traffic numbers resulting from the liberalization.
Tanzania, on its part, has been expanding its fleet.
Liberalization would lead to increased air service levels and lower fares, which in turn would stimulate additional traffic volumes, facilitates tourism, trade, investment and other sectors of the economy.
Ethiopia’s pursuit of liberalization on reciprocal basis has contributed to Ethiopian Airlines becoming the largest and most profitable carrier in Africa.
Research has found that on liberal intra-African routes Ethiopians benefit from 10-21 percent lower fares and 35-38 percent higher frequencies, compared to restricted routes.
