1ST ANNUAL TOURISM, TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY CONFERENCE

LAKE TURKANA CULTURAL FESTIVAL - JUNE 2014

The Lake Turkana cultural Festival will take place for the 7th consecutive year in Loyangalani town; on the shores of the awe-inspiring Jade Sea in June 2014 (actual festival dates 13-15 June 2014). This year’s event is co-organized by the County Government of Marsabit, Local Community Festival Committee, Kenya Tourism Board, National Museums of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service. Read More

THOMPSON DREAMLINER LANDS IN MOMBASA WITH 277 TOURISTS

The Coast tourism sector got a major boost after a Thompson Dreamliner landed Mombasa Tuesday with 277 tourists. This was its maiden flight from the UK. This is part of sustained efforts by Kenya Tourism Board to increase tourist arrivals. This comes barely a week to The Mombasa International Cultural Festival. The 8day festival is set to be held from 14^th December to 21^st December 2013.

Source: NTV Kenya

CHINA DONATES ANTI-POACHING EQUIPMENT TO MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

Chongqing Municipal Government donated cameras, binoculars and other equipment to Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The donations are aimed at tracking down poachers as well as monitoring animal movements at the reserve.

Sun Zhengcai, a member of the political bureau of the communist party of China and Secretary of the Chongqing City, presented the equipment to Narok county governor Samuel Ole Tunai at a ceremony held at Keekorok Lodge. Also present during the ceremony were Principal Secretaries Ibrahim Mohammed (Tourism), Richard Lesyambe (Environment), KWS director William Kiprono and Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.

A partnership agreement on tourism and trade between the county and the Chinese Municipality was also signed in a ceremony that was witnessed by Judy Wakhungu the Environment Cabinet Secretary.

While receiving the equipment, Tunai acknowledged that the donations will help fight poaching and added that the county would employ more rangers to help in the anti-poaching fight. He urged the local communities around the reserve to help in the fight and effectively participate in wildlife conservation because it is their heritage and source of income. He also noted that the number of Chinese visitors to the park stands at 50,000 and was optimistic it could hit 100,000 by end year.

Source: Standard Digital

KENYA TO HOST 2013 TRADE AND HOSPITALITY EXHIBITION

KENYA TOURISM PERFORMANCE DROPPED LAST YEAR

Last year the tourism industry saw a two per cent decline in visitor numbers and earnings, a situation attributed to insecurity, pre-election nausea and Economic crises in Europe. Tourist Numbers dropped from 1.26 million in 2011 to 1.23million last year a 2.3per cent drop. In earnings, it dropped from Sh.97billion year 2011 to Sh.96.02 last year.

Kenya’s traditional tourist source markets led by United stood at 123,905 which was a 3.6 per cent increase compared to drops from Germany at 65,199 a 5.1 per cent decline, United Kingdom at 185,976 an 8.5 per cent drop while Italy posted a decline at 14.6 percent to 82,330. Mureithi Ndegwa, the managing director of the Kenya Tourist Board attributed the significant decline from the Italian market to cancellation of direct flights to Rome by Kenya Airways as well as reduction of frequent charters to the Coast.

Elephants at Amboseli

Uganda was the largest and fastest growing African source market with a 30 per cent increase to 55,449. South Africa was second at 40,707 which is a 6 per cent growth while Tanzania was third. Emerging source markets such as Asia posted remarkable growth with Middle East, India and China  posting 92 per cent at 40, 485, 3.9 per cent at 61,275 and 10per cent at 41,303 respectively. Tourism Minister Dan Mwanzo said the growth had been boosted by established routes from key airlines namely Etihad, Emirates, Kenya airways.

KETA AWARDS 2012 WINNERS

June 22^nd, 2012 saw the best in Kenya’s Tourism Industry feted. Kenya Tourism Awards (KETA)2012;

Many will wonder what I’d been doing with this post since then to post it here today. Guess what...there is no hurry in Africa. The post is still news to many.

We was early for the awards that day (We; me and my Volkswagen beetle), but wading my through to the Carnivore Restaurant from city centre remained a puzzle, let alone the surprises my beetle gives me time to time like collapsing somewhere at Madaraka and ‘refusing’ to move. I had to leave it there till further notice-that had to be at end month. I was getting late for the 6pm event. You see,..I love my beetle as I do Kenya’s Tourism. Therefore I had no reasons to miss 2012 KETA Awards, particularly after securing the gala voucher from a friend’s friend who refused to be named. 

The Gala 

Morocco Tourism Federation President, Mr. Ali Ghannam and Tourism Assistant Minister, Hon. Cecily Mbarire were in the house - guest of honors they were, among other dignitaries, stakeholders, media, members of public and I a civil servant with all protocol observed.

Speaking at the Gala, Hon Cecily Mbarire noted that KETA came at a time when the tourism sector has made remarkable growth for the past two years. Among others who spoke included KTF Chairperson Lucy Karume and KTB Board member Patricia Ithau.

The most amazing thing at KETA 2012 was that, this time the media was incorporated and members of the media who have immensely contributed in reporting on and promoting tourism were recognized. Media categories included the Best Magazine, TV Journalist and Digital Media. Unfortunately entrants to two categories; Best Radio Journalist and Domestic Tourism Awards scored below the threshold for the awards and were not awarded.

AWARD WINNERS 2012

1. Best Accommodation Facility

SAROVA HOTELS

 

Inland Hotel (Medium sized lodge)-TORTILIS CAMP
Inland Hotel (Large lodge)-SAROVA MARA GAME CAMP
Beach Hotel - SAROVA WHITESANDS BEACH RESORT & SPA
City Hotel -INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL

 2. Best Entertainment Facility

CARNIVORE SIMBA SALOON

 

3. Tour Operator of the year

Medium Sized Tour Operator

EXOTIC GOLF SAFARIS LTD.

 

 

4. TourOperator of the year

Large Tour Operator

CHELI & PEACOCK

 

 

5. Air Operator of the year 

AIR KENYA

 

6. Best Travel Agency 

EXPRESS TRAVEL GROUP LTD.

 

 

7. Best Tourism Attraction 

CARNIVORE RESTAURANT NAIROBI

8. Support & Integration with local community Award

PORINI SAFARI CAMPS

 

 

For all your Safaris needs in East Africa, contact:

Cherith Tours and Safaris, Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel:  +254 020 2655373

24HRS Cell; +254705620622 / +254720349171

Email:   info@cherithsafaris.com

Caxton Hse, 2nd flr, room.12

Standard st. opposite Bruce Hse.

Kenya Tourism Awards (KETA 2012)

Call it Kenya’s Tourism Industry embracing best practices, now that Tourism is a major role player in the country’s Vision 2030. It’s the second year and the Kenya Tourism Awards are back!!! According to KTF (Kenya Tourism Federation), ‘Kenya Tourism Awards is one key strategy that will spur sector growth through improved standards and sustainable practices, as well as a marketing opportunity for the sector that will support increased appeal, arrivals and tourism earnings.’

The theme for this year’s awards is ‘Sustain, Diversify, Celebrate Tourism'

This year has seen strong entries by major players not only in the tourism industry but also from the media.

KTF had earlier stated that Judging for the Awards was done by an independent audit firm and included site visits to verify nomination information and how nominees met the award criteria.’  Judging took place in the month of May. The Award has 9 categories with media awards included.

Kenya Tourism Awards (KETA 2012) will culminate in a gala to be held on Friday 22nd June from 6pm at the Carnivore Nairobi with tourism stakeholders, prominent Kenyan personalities, the media and members of the public in attendance. The guest of honor will be the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Danson Mwazo.

Follow Kenya Tourism Awards on Facebook for useful updates on the competition and to win prizes on competitions going on!

KETA 2012 read more >>>