NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 4 – The Kenya Tourism Board has entered into an agreement with AirAsia (AAX), a Malaysian low-cost carrier, to connect Africa and Asia with direct flights.
Under the deal, AAX and KTB will conduct joint promotional activities, coordinated marketing, and collaborative efforts to enhance the travel experience.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei disclosed that the collaboration would drive substantial growth in tourism numbers to Kenya.
“This enhanced connectivity will stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities for local businesses, showcasing Kenya as a key destination for global travelers, especially from Asia,” said Chepkemei.
“By facilitating easier access to Nairobi, says Chepkemei, the country anticipates increased tourism revenue and stronger cultural exchange, benefiting both Kenya’s tourism sector and its broader economy.”
The Asia Pacific region is a key tourism source market for Kenya, with the region seeing over 320,000 travelers into the country in 2023, with India, China, and Japan among the top drivers of visitor arrivals.
“Our goal through this collaboration is to ensure that we have more tourists coming from Malaysia and other regional destinations to Kenya,” KTB CEO added.
The pact comes ahead of the AAX direct flight launch between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi on November 15, 2024, with four weekly flights. AAX plans to use the new route to attract visitors to the Asian country.
“This new route will play a crucial role in Kenya’s tourism growth and create new connections for travellers,” Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AAX said.
“For our other key routes such as Australia and China, Nairobi will now be easily accessible, offering new adventures in Africa and enhanced travel options via Kuala Lumpur. This route not only strengthens our global network but also supports the tourism goals of both Kenya and Malaysia.”
