Tourism and wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has urged tourism providers to model their offerings to suit today’s demanding traveller’s expectation.
He said this during the inaugural Magical Kenya Signature Experiences (MKSE) Award Ceremony held to unveil outstanding tourism offerings among Kenyan travel industry players.
Fifteen facilities were awarded after meeting the required criteria of innovativeness, creativity and authentic offering, with Balala noting that the awards marked the beginning of a journey to delivering diverse tourism experiences.
“Today’s discerning international and local traveller is seeking out travel destinations that deliver unique and authentic experiences which tap into their passion points. Today, the new millennium is different, the new clientele is different. We have a lot in this country that we that we can be able to share, the industry has invested heavily but sometimes we need to do the small things that make a difference” said CS Balala
MKSE is a programme is one of key milestone for KTB in transformation of tourism products and experiences to cater for the diverse needs of the clientele.
“It will ensure that the industry continues to be competitive and innovative in the products and services offered to clients. Kenya can only be competitive internationally if the service offering is exceptional to the traveller” added Balala
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO Dr Betty Radier noted that the MKSE programme was initiated to ensure that tourism gems were identified so that they are evaluated, showcased and acknowledge for the role they play in promoting Kenya’s tourism to the world.
“This journey was started in 2016, and the purpose was to look at what we have as an industry, looking at what we can do as a marketing body together with our partners to begin to identify gems within our destination, we just need to showcase them. Most importantly create a programme that will acknowledge the investment that goes into these gems”
She added
“The goal is to ensure that we are not only recognised for our Safari offerings which we currently are across the world, but to be recognised in other categories, tourists should know that there is something for everyone in destination Kenya. I encourage business and individuals who is in the tourism space to participate in the subsequent Magical Kenya Signature Experience which will be bigger and better”
The 15 experiences that were awarded are:
| Candidate | Experience |
| Finch Hattons | Finch Hattons Luxury |
| Gamewatchers Safaris | Big Cat Safari |
| Kitengela Glass | Catching Light & Touching Fire |
| Let’s Go Travel | Remarkable Kenya With a Humanitarian Touch |
| Elewana Collections | The Starbeds at Loisaba |
| Ekorian Mugie Camp | Kayaking at the Mugie Dam |
| Vittoria Limited | Olarro by Hermes Retreat |
| One Horizon | Connect with Kenya – Social Good Kenya Experience |
| Elewana Collections | SkySafari Kenya – The Ultimate Africa Adventure |
| Tamarind Group | Tamarind Dhow Dining Experience |
| African Forest Lodges | The Forest Adventure |
| Tribe Water Sports | Stand Up and Paddle with Dolphins in Watamu |
| Tropic Air Safaris | Mount Kenya; Morning of fly-fishing fun |
| Tropic Air Safaris | Suguta Valley; Day trip by Helicopter |
| National Museums of Kenya | Karen Blixen Museum |
