INTERNATIONAL GOLFERS TREATED TO A SAFARI EXPERIENCE AHEAD OF THE MAGICAL KENYA OPEN
American professional golfer Brandon Wu enjoys the safari at Nairobi National Park. The familiarization tour by Kenya Tourism Board aims at enabling top international golfers experience Kenya’s unique tourism offerings.
By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is capitalizing on this year’s edition of Magical Kenya Open (MKO) to enhance the country’s global tourism appeal.
KTB earlier today treated top international golfers to a Safari at the Nairobi National Park, as part of efforts to highlight the country’s unique wildlife and scenic attractions ahead of the weekend tournament.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei says Kenya is once again on the global map as a golfing destination and noted the opportunity has enabled the country to position itself for sports tourism.
“We are keen to capitalize on this growing popularity by leveraging the Magical Kenya Open. Participating international players will have the opportunity to experience Kenya’s unique tourism offerings, including a visit to Nairobi National Park for a game drive to sample Magical Kenya’s unmatched beauty as some have done today,” noted Chepkemei.
She added, “Immersing our guests, especially those that have an international appeal in the allure of Kenya’s tourism experiences is key to cultivating lasting impressions. These tailored experiences not only elevate our profile as a premier golf destination but also cultivate brand ambassadors who can authentically share the magic of Kenya with the world.”
Brandon Wu from the United States, who was among the golfers on an early morning game drive at Nairobi National Park, described the experience as truly unforgettable. “This has been an amazing experience, especially in the morning with the amazing sunrise. The beauty, the calmness of the trees and landscapes, and the sight of animals in their natural habitat made it so special.
He added, “Seeing lions up close and watching giraffes and zebras crossing the road right in front of us was an incredible moment I’ll never forget. I feel so excited and blessed to be in Kenya to play golf in Kenya. This is my first time in Africa, and just being here is an amazing experience.”
Chepkemei stated that the players serve as unique destination ambassadors who can tell their stories especially to friends and fans from their countries of origin.
“Hosting globally televised competitions like the Magical Kenya Open provides great exposure for our country. We intend to capitalize on the spotlight by showcasing our first-class tourism offerings. Our unique landscapes, abundant wildlife and rich culture make Kenya a dream destination for travellers seeking adventure. We look forward to welcoming more visitors and sharing our treasures with the world,” Chepkemei stated.
The KTB CEO emphasized the need to maximize the tourism benefits of the sporting events through strategic partnerships and engagements with key stakeholders.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Sports and other partners to optimize synergies and ensure that these sporting events have a lasting impact on the tourism landscape. Recently, we held engagement sessions with our travel trade partners and sports industry stakeholders to explore ways to enhance the tourism appeal of such events. We are excited to see the tangible outcomes of these collaborations,” Chepkemei remarked.
The Magical Kenya Open which is scheduled for February 20th to 23rd at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi will feature over 150 players from more than 30 countries, competing for a prize purse of $2.5 million (approximately Ksh 322.5 million). This prestigious tournament plays a crucial role in promoting Kenya as a premier golfing destination while also marketing the country as a top-tier travel destination to the global tourism market, which consists of approximately 9.1 million travellers, 10% of whom are traveling golfers.
Thirteen Kenyan professional golfers have qualified for the tournament, including seasoned players Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow.
International participants include Johannes Veerman (USA), Ángel Hidalgo (Spain), and defending champion Darius Van Driel (Netherlands) who will be returning to defend his title.