They will also participate in the conceptualisation and roll-out of joint conservation programs aimed at improving the wildlife offering among other activities/KRCS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – In a bid to cushion the tourism sector during the electioneering period, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Tourism Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to market the country’s wildlife product.
The joint MoU will see KWS and KTB undertake joint international media trips to expose the destination for safari product in national parks and game reserves as this is one of the products the country is known for.
KTB CEO, Dr. Betty Radier says that the partnership will also see the two companies sell Kenya’s beaches, as they too are a top attractor of tourists.
“This partnership will help Kenya’s tourism move forward and grow. We shall work on owning and selling our diverse products to the world,” Radier said.
They will also participate in the conceptualisation and roll-out of joint conservation programs aimed at improving the wildlife offering among other activities.
“What KWS will provide for us with is the content, training us on what the country has to offer so that when we are out there marketing these destinations, we have enough information.”
The move follows a finding by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics recording a drop in international tourist numbers to 72,730 in February 2017 from 79,690 in January 2017 owing to election fever.
Ten years ago, official data revealed that about 561,000 tourists visited the country in the first half of 2008, compared with more than 873,000 for the same period in 2007, marking a 36 per cent drop. This was a consequence of the deadly post-election violence.
Fast forward to 2013, many beaches were noted to have had fewer tourists, with some resorts reporting to have been empty owing to election violence anxiety, although they turned out peaceful.
