- It recorded a total bed occupancy of 69.4%
- Tourism Fund to partner with county governments to ensure that they promote domestic tourism
The domestic tourism market demonstrated great recovery from the adverse impact of Covid-19 to record a total bed occupancy of 69.4 per cent.
The latest data from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) shows the segment contributed 54 per cent of all tourism revenues collected during the period.
Addressing media during the “you deserve a holiday” domestic campaign in Machakos County over the weekend, KTB CEO Betty Radier attributed the performance to the resilience of the local travellers in the midst of unforeseen challenges affecting the travel industry.
The Covid-19 pandemic, she said, has more than before brought to fore the potential the domestic market had in cushioning the sector during hard times that reduce travel amongst international visitors.
“The decline in international travels owing to the Covid-19 pandemic taught us to re-strategize and put a full focus on the domestic market, which kept the industry alive,'' Radier said.
Through the six-long campaign, KTB is collaborating with about 25 travel trade companies to provide affordable travel packages to potential local travellers across the country.
“The need to continue generating interest in the country's domestic tourism market has never been greater, and we believe that this venture with the private sector will go a long way,” she said.
The campaign is activated through magical Kenya golf tours in about 11 golf courses spread across the country, mall activations and corporate visits in targeted towns so as to reach as many people as possible.
Tourism Fund chairman Alphonse Kioko said that the fund will be partnering with county governments to ensure that they promote domestic tourism which in turn will improve the local economies.
“As Tourism Fund we shall be moving to counties to ensure that we work together in promoting tourism activities to spur local businesses,'' Kioko said.
He called on hospitality establishments to focus on service improvements so as to enhance customer experience and meet the expected standards.