Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is bullish that the continent has all the potential to contribute to the arrivals into Kenya with KTB Chairperson Francis Gichaba disclosing a 36 percent growth in visitor number from the continent within the last seven months.
"Between January and July this year, we have received 104,764 visitors from the Asian market up from 76,977 in the same period last year, a clear indication that the market has the potential for us to tap into and grow more arrivals into the country," said the chairperson.
He added, "Malaysia in the Far East is a golf nation with great trade links.
These links are potentially useful for marketing Nairobi, which has seven golf courses.
Leveraging on the adventurous nature of Asian population packaging the available products will see growth beyond 50 percent and much more."
Gichaba made the remarks at the celebrations of the Malaysia Day marked by a Golf Game at Sigona golf club that brought together over 100 participants drawn from the diplomatic corps and business community.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Kenya Ruzami Mohamad reinforced KTB's focus on the market, adding that he will collaborate with the marketing agency to promote golf tourism, a popular sport among the Malaysians.
"The country has a unique combination. Tourists like unique things that they have not seen or experienced before. The experience in Kenya for Malaysia, South East people and Asians is different, as they must go to the zoo to see wild animals, which is different in Kenya. Wild animals here are free in the national parks and live naturally which is a great experience for the Asian people," said the High Commissioner