In a bid to boost the contribution of its tourism sector to the country’s GDP, Kenya has stepped up the drive to arouse the interest of more tourists from Asian countries.

Among other things, the East African country has embarked on exhibitions and a publicity programme using various international media houses. This move, according to Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director of Kenya Tourism Board has been well received by China. 

According to him, the board had therefore signed a pact with China that would see its national television, CCTV air documentaries filmed at Kenya’s rich wildlife reserves.

Kenya’s hope of a brighter future for its tourism industry was raised last week, with the visit of 110 tour operators from China.

The traditional markets – Britain, Europe and the US –  of Kenya’s tourism industry slowed down due to attacks by suspected terrorists in Mombassa, Nairobi and some northern parts of the country. This triggered the tourism agency’s need to explore new markets, with Asia the focus at the moment.

“We have been marketing Kenya to first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai to create more awareness in the Chinese market,” Mr Ndegwa was quoted by BusinessDaily as saying.

Kenya’s world famous tourist sites including monuments and wildlife parks have gone on China’s CCTV, he said.