BERLIN
Kenya is
looking forward to receiving more international visitors in the coming
high tourist season, following successful talks between the government
and European source markets.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary
Najib Balala said the country is expected to receive 20 per cent more
foreign guests when the season begins in mid-July, with the climax of
the peak season to be felt in December.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation
on the sidelines of the International Tourism Bourse travel trade fair,
which began on Wednesday in Berlin, Mr Balala said he expects more
German holidaymakers to visit Kenya in the coming season.
Since
January, he said, officials have held negotiations with leading tour
operators and travel agents from the traditional markets of the United
Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Spain to woo back more international
holidaymakers.
“We told them about the Sh1.2 billion
charter incentive programme, the reduction of park entry fees from $90
to $60 per visitor, the waiving of visa fee for children below 16, among
others.”
“Tour operators from the European markets
have responded positively by promising to bring more holidaymakers in
the coming high season,” said Mr Balala.
ITALIAN FLIGHTS
He said on Monday that the government signed a contract with an Italian charter airline Meridiana Fly, to take tourists to Mombasa, while in return, the carrier would enjoy incentives that were launched last year.
In the deal, Meridiana will
be flying 80 per cent of its passengers to Mombasa when the high season
begins, thereby enjoying a $30 (Sh3,000) subsidy for every passenger
who terminates at the Moi International Airport.
The CS
said he expected more airlines from Italy to follow suit, following
negotiations with Italian charter airline executives, tour operators and
travel agents on Monday.
“Following the UK
government’s lifting of travel advisories last year against coastal
resort towns of Mombasa, Diani and Malindi, we have received positive
support from British tour operators and travel agents,” he said.
“From
July to December, we expect to receive more British tourists as there
are some airlines which will be ferrying holidaymakers to Nairobi and
Mombasa,” he said.
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