This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
Kenya and Mauritius are strengthening their airline ties to boost tourism in their respective markets. The two countries' tourism ministries held discussions on Friday to explore ways to better employ their national airlines in tourism marketing.
Kenya's Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and his Mauritian counterpart Anil Gayan met to promote tourism in their respective hubs in the Chinese market. The meeting aimed to boost tourism in both countries, with a focus on the Chinese market.
The two countries also discussed collaboration in the development of a cruise circuit between them. This initiative is expected to attract more tourists to both countries and boost their economies.
Kenya considers tourism as one of its key economic sectors, with the sector earmarked as part of the driver for economic transformation under the Vision 2030 goal. Safari and beach holidays are a major source of tourism for both countries and across East and Southern Africa.
Kenya views Mauritius as a strategic partner in boosting its domestic tourism market, where air services are key to the venture. Kenya Airways began direct flights to Mauritius in June 2018, with the goal of providing traction to its direct flights to the United States, launched later in October.
With the popularity of Mauritius as a tourist destination in the US, Kenya Airways sought to boost its cabin factor on its New York flight by easing access to the island nation through the first direct flights to the US from East Africa.
