Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) will work with social media influencers from various African countries, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania to enhance the visibility of Kenya’s tourism destinations.
Speaking at the East Africa Community (EAC) influencer familiarization dinner, KTB’s director of market development Betty Ichan, said influencers would showcase the magic, diversity, authenticity, sustainability, and all-year-round nature of Kenya’s tourism destinations.
“Africa is our key focus market, which is why we have engaged influencers from East African countries to help us showcase Kenya’s rich tourism offerings. This is part of our broader strategy to position Kenya at the forefront of the tourism industry,” Ichan said.
She added that KTB would invest more in the African market to increase visitors to the country, noting that Africa was the highest contributor of tourism arrivals into Kenya by 42 per cent.
Ichan said leveraging on influencers’ reach will be a strategic move to boost tourism and drive the sector’s growth. She added that research shows that consumers would start their search for a holiday destination on social media and that by partnering with influencers, the government agency is tapping into social media to effectively reach potential tourists.
“We are investing in our low-hanging fruit. We are working with influencers, we are participating in key exhibitions, running consumer campaigns to be able to position Kenya at the top of the African Market,” she said.
Eudith, an Ethiopian influencer and TV host, shared that she experienced the magic and authenticity of Kenya during their tour saying how the journey allowed her to witness the country’s unique charm and diverse attractions firsthand.
“I have been to 68 countries but Kenya takes the cake because the Maasai Mara specifically captured my eye, to see so many wild animals in one area is amazing,” Eudith said.
She expressed her enthusiasm about sharing her experiences with her followers and fans, confident that her stories and insights would inspire them to visit Kenya.
Ali Jape from Zanzibar noted that the collaboration between the influencers and the Kenya Tourism Board has significantly enhanced their understanding of the beauty and history of many of Kenya’s tourist destinations.
He said that they have visited different places in the country including Amboseli National Park, Nairobi Nightlife, and Nanyuki where they did horse riding, diving in Diani, and the culture and architecture of Mombasa. By Fatma Said
