A chartered plane flew into Moi International Airport, Mombasa, on Saturday night with Polish tourists, raising confidence in the Kenyan tourism sector that has been battered for most of this year over insecurity and terrorism.
The airline, Enter, made its maiden flight into Moi International Airport on Saturday. The Boeing 737-800 flew directly from Warsaw, Poland to Mombasa, landing at 8.00pm on Saturday with 170 tourists.
On hand to receive the inaugural flight by Travel Service was a team of officials from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) led by Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa, reigning Miss Tourism Mombasa County, Tima Ochiel and Musician Winnie Bwire of Jukuaa The Band.
Income levels
"Our campaigns in both the Czech and Polish markets are beginning to bear fruit. Travel Service Charter has introduced this direct flight from Warsaw to Mombasa courtesy of ESO and SEDOK tour companies," Mr Ndegwa said.
Ndegwa thanked Poland for showing confidence in Kenya by coming up with the new charter service.
"Naturally this market is good in that income levels are rising in Poland and the propensity for travel remains high. We remain grateful and wish to assure the holidaymakers of an unforgettable holiday experience right here in Kenya," he said.
He said a plan mooted by the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, KTB and the private sector to offer incentives to international charters particularly in Czech, Poland, Italy and German markets would be sustained to ensure revival of the tourism, which is largely dependent on chartered flights.
"We are seeing positive signs with already two charters one from Prague, the Czech capital and this latest one from Warsaw and we hope for the best in 2015," Ndegwa said.
In October, KTB welcomed the softening of a travel advisory imposed by the United Kingdom, saying the move will boost tourism recovery efforts.
The United Kingdom in late September lifted all travel warnings on Nairobi through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
