Since the launch of Charter Incentives Program (CIP) in 2016 with Shs 1.2 billion package by the government, Kenya has recorded a growth of tourism numbers into the coastal region.
With the extension of CIP, more charter operators will resume flights into the destination for the winter season 2019/2020 (October 2019 to March 2020) with confirmations so far from Rainbow Tours (Poland) which was received yesterday.
Air Italy is also expected to resume flights to Mombasa as from 28th October 2019 with other charter operators expected to share their flight manifest in due course
Already in the winter season (October – March),there is a confirmation of resumption charters as follows; Blue Panorama from Italy weekly flights, Condor from Germany four times weekly, TUI Poland (Enter Air) from Poland, weekly flights, Neos charter from Italy three times weekly flights.
"As a result of joint marketing initiatives involving Destination Kenya, the partnering airline, and the tour operator or travel agents’ consortia, we hope to receive proposals for more charters to benefit from the incentive". said Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Dr Betty Radier.
Adding "It suffices to point out that the success of the charter incentive program has greatly helped re-position the Kenyan coast as a tourism hub. The support infrastructure such as roads, airports and airstrips within the region has complimented these milestones.
On his part Kenya Coast Toursim Association Chairman Victor Shitakha who was present at the Moi International Airport said this was a major boost to the industry.
The Travel Service Charter, received yesterday had 189 passengers on board and will be operating once a week till end of the year before increasing its frequency to twice a week from January to March next year.
The tourists’ arrivals from Poland have been on an upward trend with 15,163 visitors last year up from 11,947 in 2017 translating to a 26.9% growth.
International arrivals within the period (July –September), closed at 591,996, compared to same period last year which posted 587,385, indication a growth of 0.8%”.
During the period, arrivals through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) closed at 420,770 which is a growth of 4.8% compared to 401,533 in 2018/19.
Moi International Airport Mombasa (MIAM) received 28,850 visitors, compared to 28,614 in 2018/19, representing a 1.1% growth. Cross-border arrivals closed at 127,862 which a decline of 13.4% compared to 147,576 in the same period in FY2018/19.
