The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) recently hosted a travel tradeshow in India, bringing together 12 leading Kenyan travel companies to strengthen tourism ties and promote Kenya as a prime destination for Indian travelers. At the event, KTB highlighted Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and film tourism as key opportunities to boost visitor numbers from India.
Indian travel agents emphasized the need for Kenya to introduce incentives for filmmakers and group travelers to make the destination more appealing. KTB is focusing on key Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, to tap into the growing demand for luxury and group travel experiences. The roadshow featured prominent Kenyan brands such as Neptunes Hotels, Golden Holidays, Primate Tour, and Safari Trails, among others.
Chetan Samani, Director of Cosmic Safaris, stressed the growing interest among Indian filmmakers in Kenya as a scenic filming location, providing a unique opportunity to boost tourism. Kenya has hosted nearly 80 international film productions, and the Indian film industry’s data suggests that filming locations often see a 45% increase in tourist arrivals after major Bollywood productions are shot there.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei reported a strong post-pandemic recovery, with Indian visitor arrivals increasing by 12.4% in 2024, reaching 106,863, up from 95,038 in 2023. While Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara remains a top attraction, KTB and its partners are working to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings to appeal to a broader audience.
