Kenya Airways is boosting passenger traffic on its direct flights from New York to Nairobi by partnering with TDE-Tourism in a strategic move facilitated by Kenyan marketing firm Frontier Marketing.
The partnership is to develop a strong tourism market for Kenya among the African American communities, many of whom trace their ancestry in Africa, through a campaign dubbed ‘Journey to Africa with Lady T’ of TDE Tourism which is a division of Toussaint Duchess Entertainment (TDE) run by US-based former Hollywood actress and Broadway theatre veteran Lady Toussaint Duchess popularly known as Lady T.
“Following a year of unprecedented uncertainty, we continue to join arms to catalyse a generation of opportunities and establish a path to a more sustainable business with our customers at the heart of driving our purpose. As you fly with us, I hope you see and feel the commitment we have placed to serve our customers better and meet their rising expectations at every point of their journey, whenever and wherever they travel with us.” Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu said.
The U.S. market is essential to the KQ Network as noted by Jacquie Muhati, Kenya Airways Head of Marketing, Brand and Sustainability, with partnerships such as these with remain central in the carrier’s overall sustainability plans.
According to a report released by the Tourism Research Institute, the U.S. market tops as a source of tourists in Kenya the first half of 2021 with 49,178 tourists.
Currently, Kenya Airways flies to the United States three times a week with the flights operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Meanwhile, the carrier is increasing its European services following surging demand with Paris frequencies increased to 4x weekly from 3x weekly starting July 17. London flights will get an additional flight from once a week to 2X-weekly starting July 27 while Amsterdam will get two frequencies beginning August 2.
The rise in demand is the product of increased travel to Kenya and other East Africa countries by western tourists seeking safari visits and a view of wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
“We have seen an increase in demand that has been occasioned by summer demand in Europe and that is why we are ramping up our frequencies on this route,” said Kenya Airways.
The airline says the demand could be short term as once the summer is over the airline could be forced to revert back to the previous frequencies.
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
