Kenya is rolling out the red carpet for a group of prominent travel influencers from the United Kingdom. This isn’t just any ordinary visit; it’s a strategic move by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) to further boost the country’s tourism appeal, particularly among millennials and younger travelers.
The influencer familiarization tour marks the final phase of KTB’s larger marketing strategy, which kicked off with a successful campaign featuring influencers from the East African Community (EAC). June Chepkemei, CEO of KTB, highlighted the campaign’s success and expressed excitement about expanding it to the UK, a key source market for Kenyan tourism. “We’ve seen fantastic results with influencers from the EAC, showcasing Kenya’s unique tourism products. Now, we’re focusing on the UK, where travelers have always shown strong interest in what Kenya has to offer,” she said.
The UK influencers, including travel vlogger Sandy Makes Sense, Irish rugby sevens player and social media influencer Harry McNulty, and photographer Eleonora Zontini, will spend the next week exploring key destinations across Kenya. This includes Nairobi, the bustling capital, the iconic Tsavo National Park, the stunning coastal region of Watamu, and other breathtaking locations.
Chepkemei emphasized the crucial role of these influencers in promoting Kenya’s tourism treasures through captivating storytelling. “They’ll capture their experiences through videography, photography, and content creation, inspiring their followers to embark on their own Kenyan adventure,” she explained.
The UK is a key tourism market for Kenya, with a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2023. The influencer tour is a calculated move to maintain and build upon that momentum.
Chepkemei also pointed to the recent visit of Hollywood actress Nicole Murphy to Kenya, highlighting the country’s growing appeal to international celebrities and influencers from various fields. “Nicole Murphy’s visit demonstrated Kenya’s allure, and this influencer campaign will solidify Kenya’s position as a top travel destination worldwide,” she remarked.
The influencer familiarization tours, which began in June, have successfully raised Kenya’s profile across the EAC region and aim to further boost regional tourism growth. The EAC’s ambitious goal is to attract over 14 million international tourists annually by 2025, and this campaign is expected to contribute significantly towards achieving this target.
