The World Travel Awards (WTA) has once again named Kenya the World’s Leading Safari Destination.

This was announced during the WTA grand final winners’ day 2021. The event is held to celebrate excellence across all global travel and tourism sectors.

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In the last 9 years, this is the 8th time Kenya is winning the prestigious award at the annual global awards. Kenya has had an unbroken seven-year streak win of the award.

Since 2013, Kenya has been winning the award save for 2014 when the award went to South Africa.

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Other nominees in that category included Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa.

Betty Radier, the CEO of Kenya Tourism Board, termed the win as a statement of Kenya’s superior offering of the Safari product and experience.

Dr Betty Radier. PHOTO/COURTESY

She said the win was well-deserved and believed Kenya will get better as it continues with its commitment towards preserving and showcasing unique wildlife to the world.

“This recognition is an endorsement of Magical Kenya, known as home of authentic African Safari. Without a doubt this is well-deserved, and I believe that we shall get even better. We shall continue with our commitment towards preserving and showcasing to the world the unique wildlife heritage bestowed to our country for the sake of generations to come,” Radier said.

Radier noted the resilience that has set Kenya as a preferred destination for tourists from across the world even in the face of challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said it is upon Kenya to build on the product which has a lot of potential for growth. 

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Radier mentioned Magical Kenya Signature Experience and said through it travellers have the opportunity to experience a foot safari or even track wildlife on foot.

“Ours is to continue building on this product which has a lot of potential for growth. For example, now with the Magical Kenya Signature Experiences travellers have an opportunity to experience a foot safari or even track wildlife while on foot,” said Radier.

Kenya has been relentless in finding out new ways it can showcase its tourism products and attract more visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife launched a virtual live stream campaign to showcase game safaris in parks and reserves across Kenya in 2021.

This was broadcast to the entire world as part of the Magic Awaits destination market campaign, which is important in keeping the destination alive when tourism faced monumental lows.

In August 2021, Kenya partnered with TikTok to showcase the great wildebeest migration and the Maasai Mara to ensure people everyone who could not travel to Kenya at least experienced the prospect.

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Radier said Kenya, together with its partners, can engage the world with content from any part of the country push for more awareness of Kenya and its wildlife during this time when the pandemic has occasioned minimal travelling.

“Kenya is a rich and diverse country, with an incredible wildlife offering which we want to highlight as well as protect. Together with our partners, we can now engage the world with content and experiences from any part of the country and drive more awareness of our country and wildlife, especially during this time when travel is limited with the aim of curbing the spread of the virus. Kenya Tourism Board is keen to ensure MagicalKenya remains top of mind among consumers,” Radier said.

PHOTO/COURTESY