Aaron Rai, Kenyan-born golfer displays the Barclays Kenya Open winner's trophy at Muthaiga golf club in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, March 26, 2017. (Xinhua/Allan Mutiso)
Kenya is keen to attract golfers from Asia in order to boost the East African nation's tourism sector, the country's marketing agency said on Monday.
NAIROBI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is keen to attract golfers from Asia in order to boost the East African nation's tourism sector, the country's marketing agency said on Monday.
Francis Gichaba, chairperson of Kenya Tourism Board, said Asia has the potential to contribute to the number of international visitors arriving in Kenya as there was a 36 percent growth in travelers from the continent in 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," Gichaba said in a statement released in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
According to the state-owned Tourism Research Institute, Kenya received 1.48 million international tourists in 2022, and the service sector is among the leading sources of foreign exchange alongside diaspora remittances, horticulture, and tea exports.
Photo taken on Aug. 12, 2010 shows a hot air balloon floating above the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Gichaba revealed that golf is a big part of the leisure activities enjoyed across Asia, and Kenya will be riding on the sports activity to grow visitation into the country, noting that Kenya would offer a perfect combination of safari and golf sports in more than 40 golf courses across the country thus offering golf enthusiasts a unique experience.
Gichaba added that with consistent sunshine and temperate weather to nourish its courses, Kenya has curved its niche as the perfect golfing escape from the Northern Hemisphere. "Most of our golf courses are within easy reach of major tourist attractions, excellent hotels and lodges with superb cuisine and service back Kenya's golf courses." ■
