This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
Kenya's tourism sector is set to receive a boost with the launch of Google Street View for the country's 21 national parks and one conservancy. The initiative, launched on Wednesday, aims to encourage visitor numbers to the parks.
Google collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism, Kenya Wildlife Services, the County Governments of Narok and Samburu, and the management of Ol Pejeta Conservancy to capture Street View imagery of the national parks and conservancy.
Street View is a 360-degree ground-level imagery layer found on Google Maps, allowing users to remotely explore landmarks, navigate a trip, and visit other places of interest from around the world.
Kenya's national parks and conservancy have been added to the platform, providing users with a virtual tour of the country's natural wonders.
According to Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Google Street View will bring Kenya to the world, providing a global audience with tools to virtually explore the country's cities, attractions, and places of interest.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is positioning its National Parks and Reserves on the global map as ideal destinations for adventure, wildlife safaris, sight-seeing, marine experiences, and cultural experiences.
Charles Murito, Google Kenya Country Director, emphasized the impact of Google products in helping Kenyans and empowering them to build and grow their businesses, creating economic growth.
With 82% of travellers undecided on a destination and 74% starting their research online, it's critical that Kenya is represented online. A Millward Brown study found that exposure to a video tourism ad increases the likelihood of booking by six times.
The parks and conservancy whose imagery have been published include the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Nairobi National Park, Mount Kenya, Hell's Gate, Samburu National Reserve, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, among others.
