Morocco's direct flights to lift Kenya tourism

A Royal Air Maroc passenger plane. FILE 

In Summary

• The KTB boss said that they will closely work with Morocco to sell Kenya as a tourist destination especially to the growing number of Africans taking up inter-regional travel.
• Kenya has recently sanctioned several direct fights by private charter planes from Italy, Saudi Arabia,Britain among other European cities while several Chinese airlines have.

By JAMES KARIUKI
More by this Author

Morocco's national airline Royal Air Maroc landed in Kenya Thursday morning launching its bi-weekly direct flights in what the government hopes could help boost tourism.

Kenya Tourism Board Acting Chief Executive Mrs Jacinta Nzioka–Mbithi described the visit as momentous saying Kenyans was eager to learn how Morocco managed to attract 10 million tourists compared to Kenya’s 1.4 million arrivals.

“This is indeed a significant moment for us as the connectivity for Nairobi-Casablanca direct flights will open up the tourism market, stimulate travel and improve tourist arrivals and receipts as well as trade between us,” she said.

The KTB boss said that RAM’s entry showed its confidence in Kenya’s resurgence as a tourist destination that was adversely hit by terror attacks adding that stakeholders in the industry were keen to learn from Morocco how to package their offerings to a tourists liking.

SAFE DESTINATION

“Morocco is an important emerging market for us and naturally we wish to strengthen our efforts to engage by showcasing Kenya as a safe and desirable destination for visitors. Royal Air Maroc entry to Kenya demonstrates their confidence in our tourism industry despite difficulties in the recent past,” she said.

The KTB boss said that they will closely work with Morocco to sell Kenya as a tourist destination especially to the growing number of Africans taking up inter-regional travel.

Kenya has rolled out various initiatives to support the tourism sector including the Charter Incentive Programme where direct tourists’ flights to Mombasa and Malindi now land free of charge while all visa fees for children under 16 have been waived as well as park fees drastically reduced to boost foreign travel.

Morocco’s historic past is captured in architectural masterpieces that continue to attract millions of people to its various cities as well as its world class beaches and hospitality facilities.

Kenya has recently sanctioned several direct fights by private charter planes from Italy, Saudi Arabia,Britain among other European cities while several Chinese airlines have expressed interest in launching direct flights to Kenya.