Kenya faces uphill task to attract German tourists

By Tabitha Areba in Berlin, Germany

As the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany came to an end on Sunday, it was evident Germans love travelling despite the financial crisis, and Kenya is just one of their many destinations.

To lure these travellers, Kenya must beat hundreds of competing destinations scrambling for a slice of the global tourism market.

Apart from marketing the country and it’s attraction sites, the question of direct flights, most of which were cancelled during post-election violence, emerged as a major hindrance to increase tourism numbers.

Kenya’s mission to Germany has carried out a number of negotiations with major airlines to resume direct flights.

Resume flights

"Without direct access to a country, tourists have very many other options. They would go to the Caribbean or Thailand, which are easy to connect," said Mutuma Kathurima, Kenya’s Ambassador to Germany.

Kenyan dancers entertain participants of the 44th International Tourism Bourse in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Tabitha Areba/Standard

Speaking at ITB, Kathurima said Lufthansa, which used to fly directly to Nairobi cannot resume flights in the route since it acquired Swiss International Airline, which flies to Nairobi.

"Our marketing agency is in discussion with Berlin Air to increase their flights to Mombasa," he said.

The airline operates direct flights from Frankfurt to Mombasa twice a week.

The mission is also exploring possibilities of attracting Kenya Airways to fly directly to Germany.

Besides, Kathurima said the ministry of tourism needs more cash to market Kenya as a tourist destination if the 2007 numbers of more than 80,000 have to be met.

Last year, 65,101 tourists visited Kenya from Germany against a target of 72,000.

But an increase in tourism earnings by 18 per cent to Sh62.4 billion last year is an indication that Kenya is on the right track to the 2007 record growth, when the sector earned Sh65.4 billion.

"The Government has given us a marketing company which is doing alot of marketing, in conjunction with the ministry of Tourism. We hope that we shall succeed in raising the numbers," he said.

A number of advertisements have been running in underground trains to inform Germans about Kenya as a destination of choice.

He said most Germans appreciate the fact that the country is on the right track in upgrading infrastructure and improving the security situation.

No charges

"Roads to Mombasa, Malindi, Mara and Nakuru are in good condition," he said.

He said German visitors are enjoying the reduction of visa fees from 50 euros to 20 euros for adults and no charges for children.

"We have a very robust website which was translated into German one year ago," he said.

tanzania numbers

In addition to the one-day visa facility, he said application forms can be downloaded from the website.

"Our biggest competitor is Tanzania, numbers are small for Uganda and Rwanda," he said.

He said Tanzania recorded an increase of 4,000 visitors up from 25,000 in 2007 against a target of 40,000.

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