Kenya attracted around 500,000 leisure visitors in 2002, said Raymond DVN Matiba, Chairman of the…
Kenya attracted around 500,000 leisure visitors in 2002, said Raymond DVN Matiba, Chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, and there has been no significant downturn as a result of the Mombasa terrorist attack. In fact, some international markets performed particularly well for Kenya in 2002. The number of leisure visitors from Germany increased by 20 per cent, while Italy was up 42 per cent, and Austria and Switzerland also grew.
The largest market for Kenya, the UK, remained stable, but visitors from France declined. For 2003, most markets appear to be playing a waiting game, he said.
Among Kenya`s products this year are specialist safaris, which could, for instance, combine a safari with time spent at one of the country`s 32 golf courses, or watching the Kenya Safari Rally – a 3,000 kilometre race over some of Kenya`s roughest terrain – or the donkey races in Lamu or the bullfighting ritual in the forests of Kakamega. Kenya`s new health spas in a remote wilderness retreats such as Loisaba Wilderness and Makena Hills Retreat both in Laikipia are also featured. Game tracking is combined with massage and aromatherapy, yoga, meditation and ayuverdic massage. Other spas are based at unspoiled tropical beaches – a private beach house in Watamu, for example, which offers two- to six-week courses based on a specialised health and fitness programme.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
