Kenya is encouraging Indian tourists to look beyond safaris and wildlife.
“The flow of Indian tourists has been steadily growing over the past few years. But the potential is still largely untapped. We expect the number of tourists to significantly swell over the next two-three years,” John Chirchir, Regional Marketing Manager, Kenya Tourism Board, said.
A high-level delegation comprising 18 tourism-related services providers is visiting Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. The delegation includes Atua Enkop Africa Ltd, African Quest Safaris, Cosmic Safaris and Golden Holidays.
Chirhir said the country offers something for everyone, from students to high networth individuals and corporate houses looking at meetings and conventions. Between February and June, there are great discounts, as it is a lean season for tourists.
More than 59,000 visitors came from India in 2011, and this number is expected to swell to over a lakh within two years. Apart from holiday visitors, Kenya also offers locations for film shootings. Efforts are on to increase flights to India, Chirhir said.
CNN recently named Watamu and Diani among the 25 top beach destinations in Africa.
“If you have time, there is lot more to explore in Kenya. While being in the lap of nature amidst luxury, there is adventure, beach life and lot more. Kenya has one of the finest bird life, where one can really get lost in the wilderness,” he said.