Tourism industry pegs hopes on wildebeest migration

Tourism industry pegs hopes on wildebeest migration

The struggling tourism industry in Kenya is set to get a shot in the arm in the next three weeks as tourists are expected to flock into the country to witness the wildebeest migration.

President Barack Obama’s maiden visit as president on the 24th of July is also seen as a major factor that will boost the industry’s recovery as hoteliers in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve are already witnessing a surge in hotel bookings.

A manager at Mara Explorers Camp in Sekenani Narok County, Moses Maina, expressed optimism that they will reap big from this peak season as the much-anticipated wildebeest migration and the visit by US President Barack Obama will draw in many tourists – both local and international.

Maina added that last season, the industry had been hit hard by Ebola threats but this year they were positive that the season would be great and urged tourists to take advantage of camp rates that have gone down drastically.

Maina pointed out that 70 per cent of the visitors were from the USA, noting that the president’s visit had motivated them.

One of his tour guide, Jackson ole Ngoito, pointed out that due to the threats of insecurity and travel advisories many tourists opted to go to neighboring Tanzania to witness the wildebeest migration last year but remained hopeful that this year will be Kenya’s turn to cash in on the migration.

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kenya africa Kenya tourism set for revival masai mara wild beast migration

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