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June Chepkemei to Revolutionize Kenya’s Global Appeal

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Nairobi, Kenya, March 22, 2024 / VISITKENYA / June Chepkemei, former Acting Managing Director at Kenya Investment Authority, has been appointed as the new CEO of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), succeeding John Chirchir. Her three-year tenure was confirmed via a gazette notice on March 19, 2024.

Chepkemei, previously tasked with attracting investments to Kenya, brings a wealth of experience, having led successful bids for international events like the 41st IASP world conference. Recognized for her digital leadership, she spearheaded initiatives like the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative.

With a background in communications and marketing, Chepkemei is well-equipped to promote Kenya’s tourism industry. Her appointment signals a fresh direction for Kenya’s tourism sector under her leadership.

Chepkemei will hold the position for the next three years, succeeding John Chirchir who has been at the helm of the tourism board in acting capacity since November 2022.

Her appointment was confirmed via a gazette notice date March 19, 2024.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37(1) of the Tourism Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife appoints June Teclar Chepkemei to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board,” the notice reads in part.

Chepkemei was appointed Acting KenInvest MD in January 2023 by then Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

She was at the time tasked with the responsibility of spearheading strategies to attract and grow investments to Kenya from USD 500 million to USD 10 billion by end of 2023.

In 2022, Chepkemei successfully led Kenya’s team in a fruitful bid to host the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) world conference slated for 2024.

She was also part of the team that was charged with delivering Technology and Innovation Jamhuri in 2022.

She has served as a member of the Taskforce on the Kenya Media Policy Guidelines, following her appointment by then ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs CS in 2021.

Chepkemei was named among the Top 25 Women in Digital 2021 having pioneered the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative that brought together various industry stakeholders to support the commercialization of research, innovation and the development of new solutions and enterprises within Konza Technopolis.

In 2017, June was appointed as the Project Coordinator for a New Institute of Strategic National Importance, Kenya Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), that was developed by the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Before joining Konza, Chepkemei was the Communications Business Partner at Safaricom Limited, after a six year stint in the media industry where she rose through the ranks from an intern to become a Business News Editor.

She holds a Master’s degree in Communications Studies from Moi University, a Bachelor’s Degree in PR & Communications from Moi University, Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing of the UK, and an Executive Certificate on Innovation from Stanford Centre For Professional Development.

She is also a Chartered Marketer by the Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mara Bushtops launches new Webcam to the Wild

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Mara Bushtops launches new Webcam to the Wild - VISITKENYA.comMasai Mara, Kenya, November 29, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Mara Bushtops, the only safari camp in the Maasai Mara with a substantial natural salt lick directly in front of its camp, has just launched a new webcam with high speed internet ensuring a permanent live feed from one of Kenya’s wildlife hotspots. Watch all the action right here from the comfort of your home, and please be sure to subscribe to @Bushtops on YouTube as the links can change. Sound will also be added in the coming weeks.

A steady stream of wildlife visits the salt lick throughout the day and night, still visible after sunset via infrared technology, in search of the minerals needed for healthy bones. This creates a constantly shifting nature show, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. Herds of elephant can be joined by up to 40 giraffe at any given time – with predators such as leopards and lions in attendance. What a privilege to have this permanent window to the wild!

Most of the action occurs between 10AM – 4PM Kenya time (GMT +3) but viewers around the globe can also browse through the previous 12 hours of footage recorded in case they missed something.

About Bushtops

Owned and managed by the third generation Stuart family, Andy and Claudia have established three unique camps in East Africa that offer a superlative “wild luxury” experience under canvas.  Their first camp, Mara Bushtops, located in a private concession on the fringe of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park, overlooks a natural salt lick which attracts diverse wildlife from miles around.  Perfectly positioned along the pathway of the annual wildebeest migration, they also have two camps in Tanzania, namely Serengeti Bushtops in the northern Serengeti and Roving Bushtops, very unique mobile camp which moves seasonally between the central and southern Serengeti, in sync with the famous wildebeest migration.

Bushtops Safari Camps offer some of the most luxurious and immersive safari experiences in Africa, with a deep commitment to conservation and sustainability.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

JW Marriott Makes its Debut in Luxury Safari Segment

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JW Marriott Makes its Debut in Luxury Safari Segment - TRAVELINDEX - VISITKENYA.comMasai Mara, Kenya, April 7, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Transformative Experiences and Meaningful Connections Await at JW Marriott’s Haven of Luxury in the Heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. JW Marriott announced the opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, marking the company’s highly anticipated debut in the luxury safari segment.

Sitting within the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southwestern Kenya, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife and wilderness conservation regions, the lodge is a sophisticated and thoughtful sanctuary from which to discover nature and breathtaking vistas in harmony. Exhilarating guided game drives offer guests the opportunity to observe the “Big Five” that Masai Mara is home to, including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants. Between June and September, the reserve is host to the annual great wildebeest migration, which sees more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.

“Fostering meaningful connections and nourishing the soul is at the heart of the JW Marriott brand, so entering the luxury safari segment is a natural next step,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “Offering our guests once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a deep connection to place, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge balances the thrill of a game drive with thoughtful opportunities to switch off and take it all in. We are excited to welcome travellers to a transformative and wellness-forward stay delivered with JW Marriott’s legacy of extraordinary hospitality.”

Inspired Design

The lodge’s elegant interiors, designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants, seamlessly blend the savannah inwards, drawing inspiration from the elements with soft, warm tones, natural materials and textures, and native colours thread through its design. Each of the lodge’s 20 private tents provide a peaceful sanctuary to recharge and reset, and feature terraces overlooking the River Talek, a water source and habitat for many wildlife. The tented honeymoon suite offers a private plunge pool, while two interconnecting king and twin suites are ideal for families with children over the age of six (the minimum age of guests at the lodge).

Wellbeing and Mindful Practices

In keeping with JW Marriott’s ethos of mindfulness, the lodge is home to a number of thoughtfully designed spaces from the cosy Adventure Lounge full of books to get lost in and a space for young adults to take time for themselves, to the Cultural Deck where guests can gather around the fire pit to share tales of the day’s exploration.

Capturing the essence of rejuvenation, the Spa by JW emulates the serenity of the reserve and offers tailored experiences and signature treatments which blend locally inspired techniques and therapies. These are complemented by natural and organic products by renowned African skincare brand, Healing Earth, also available as in-room amenities. Guests can enjoy spa treatments from the comfort of their tented suite, accompanied by the sounds of the wilderness. Extending beyond body to mind and spirit with guided yoga, treatments include a ‘Masai Celebration’ incorporating local botanicals and therapies.

Nourishing Culinary Journeys

At the heart of the camp is the JW Garden, an outdoor space for guests to spend time discovering home-grown, organic ingredients, including the lodge’s signature rosemary. The garden’s produce is used by the lodge’s chefs to craft personalised dishes, cocktails, and mocktails. The garden will host daily programming, including live cooking, interactive cocktail mixology, and chef-led talks for a true farm-to-table experience. A relaxing gathering place, Fig Tree Lounge offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains from the indoor and outdoor bar and serves refreshing cocktails and mocktails infused with seasonal ingredients from the lodge’s garden. An indoor and alfresco dining experience at Sarabi Restaurant takes guests on a nourishing epicurean experience guided by JW Garden ingredients and local culinary heritage. Guests can venture out into the reserve with the lodge’s guides to enjoy a freshly prepared ‘Bush Breakfast’ or dinner while sipping sundowners and soaking in the breathtaking savannah vistas.

Connection to the Locale

The lodge’s community programming provides an authentic insight into meaningful local projects, including The Maa Trust, an organisation empowering local people by promoting small business start-ups. The lodge donates a percentage of the nightly rate per person to the organisation and provides a space for craftspeople to retail Maa Beadwork and produce. Guests can visit The Maa Trust to meet with local artisans and forge a deeper connection to the people in the area.

Currently, 60 percent of the lodge’s team are locals, with plans to reach 70 percent, ensuring the hotel’s contribution to the socio-economic development of the region. As an ongoing initiative, JW Marriott Masai Mara’s Apprenticeship Programme invites young women from the community to diversify their skills and broaden their experience to kick-start their careers in the hospitality industry. Partnership with the community began during the early development process of the lodge. Developed on land committed to a tourism project so as not to unduly disturb the surrounding environment, much of the construction was undertaken by local experts overseen by technical specialists, with build materials sourced from sustainable suppliers. The lodge has rehabilitated access roads to the property, installed power to the area, and provided access to clean drinking water for locals through a water treatment plant.

Emphasis on waste reduction and recycling is integral to daily operations. The lodge’s water treatment plant provides recycled and sanitised water; food waste is placed at the lodge’s compost site; and water wells are dotted around the lodge for animals to quench their thirst throughout the day.

By supporting local organisations such as The Mara Elephant Project and The Mara Protector Conservation Programme, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge contributes to protecting animals and their habitat across the greater Mara ecosystem. Bringing a passion for the surrounding wildlife and nature to guests, the lodge’s Head Guide is a lifelong conservationist who holds talks about local culture at the lodge as well as guided walking tours. With an abundance of meaningful moments to experience at the lodge, guests can delve into photography and learn new skills at the lodge’s very own studio.

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is a 30-minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip and a 25-minute drive from Sekenani Main Gate.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Wilderness Safaris Pledges Commitment to Lion Recovery Fund

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Wilderness Safaris Pledges Commitment to Lion Recovery Fund - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXJohannesburg, South Africa, August 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / To celebrate World Lion Day 2022, and in partnership with the Lion Recovery Fund, Wilderness Safaris has pledged its ongoing support of the Lionscape Coalition – an innovative group of leading commercial, conservation tourism companies, which have joined forces to help secure a future for Africa’s lions and their landscapes.

Africa’s lion population has halved in the past 25 years, and the species is now officially classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Vulnerable, with the West African subspecies Critically Endangered. Habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal wildlife trade, bushmeat poaching and human-lion conflict continue to threaten lions across Africa. Yet lions are a resilient species and a turnaround is still possible if these key issues are addressed.

As apex predators, lions are regarded by scientists as an ‘umbrella’ species; if a lion population is thriving, it means the entire ecosystem around it is functioning effectively. ‘Conserving wild lions is therefore synonymous with conserving Africa’s savannah wilderness’, commented Dr Peter Lindsey, Director of the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF). ‘With a unique ability to inspire a passionate audience of travellers about the threats facing lions and how they can help, coupled with the strong economic incentives for conservation that the industry creates, Africa’s ecotourism industry can play a pivotal role in bringing the species back’.

‘As a founding partner of the Lionscape Coalition, we are proud to be working with our conservation tourism partners to make annual philanthropic investments into the LRF. In this way, we are not only supporting lion conservation projects in our regions, but looking past our own business imperatives and collaborating with each other to help support initiatives beyond the boundaries of our direct areas of operation – especially where lions are Critically Endangered’, noted Derek de la Harpe, Wilderness Chief Risk Management and Corporate Affairs Officer.

The LRF’s stated vision is to double wild lion numbers by 2050. By engaging guests before, during and after their safaris, about the threats and opportunities for lion conservation, Lionscape Coalition members aim to generate additional funding in support of the LRF’s goals, with 100% of all donations received channelled directly to projects on the ground.

The strategy of this dedicated initiative focuses on three critical aspects: expanding conservation coverage by increasing the extent and effectiveness of the management of ‘lionscapes’ across Africa; the building of public, political, and philanthropic will, creating a collective intent across the spheres of governments, non-profit organisations, philanthropists and the general public; and the upscaling of funding available for the conservation of lions and their landscapes.

Impactful safaris in Africa are intrinsically linked to the health of the continent’s iconic wildlife populations and their captivating landscapes. As an undisputed favourite for guests, losing lions will not only have dire ecological consequences, but will jeopardise the tourism industry itself, the jobs it creates and the many national economies to which it makes such an important contribution. The Lionscape Coalition shares the LRF’s bold vision to double the number of wild lions in Africa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert is New Chairperson of Kenya Tourism Board

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Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert is New Chairperson of Kenya Tourism Board - VISITKENYA.com - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, August 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Chief Executive Officer of Professional Marketing Services Ms. Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert has been named as the new Chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Board. She takes over from Jimi Kariuki whose mandate came to an end earlier this year. Her three-year mandate commenced in July 2022.

• Discover magical Kenya with the exclusive travel guide VisitKenya.com, Where the Safari was Born.

Ms. Mwangi-Yelbert has already hit the ground running meeting the management of the board to outline her vision for the organisation. The new Board Chairperson has a vast experience and expertise in marketing communication which is key to the execution of the Board’s destination marketing mandate.

Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert is the Founder and current CEO of Professional Marketing Services Limited, a company that she started about 22 years ago.

The company is the only Kenyan firm to bag three awards at the Kenya Top 100 Medium-sized awards to date – being the number on enterprise, the best in the service sector and with Joanne as the top entrepreneur in 2010.

Joanne is also the founder and chair of the Federation of Women Entrepreneur Associations (FEWA), which aims at capacity building, entrepreneurship and business development training, service delivery, creating rights awareness and mentoring especially of young women entrepreneurs. The organization empowers women who are the backbone of society and this has brought a significant change in the country. Through FEWA, she represents Kenya on the Federation of National Associations of Women in Business in Eastern and Southern Africa (FEMCOM) board.

Joanne has served as Chair of many organizations including; Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Eastern Africa Women Entrepreneur Exchange Network Kenya Chapter (EAWEEXN), Advertising Standards Council and is an accomplished Rotarian among many others.

• Discover magical Kenya with the exclusive travel guide VisitKenya.com, Where the Safari was Born.

Due to her exceptional leadership skills and excellent performance at PMS over the years, Joanne has gained a reputation in the local and regional market for providing exceptional service delivery by ensuring that there is mutual trust among employees and clients, resulting in the expansion of the company to cater for greater marketing needs.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tourism to Create 14 Million Jobs in Africa within the Next Decade

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Tourism to Create 14 Million Jobs in Africa within the Next Decade - VISITKENYA.com - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, May 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals the African Travel & Tourism sector is expected to create almost 14 million new jobs over the next decade.

The positive forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which shows an average of 1.4 million new jobs every year, also reveals the sector will lead the economic recovery in the region, with its annual GDP growth set to outpace the overall economy for the next 10 years.

According to the report, Travel & Tourism’s GDP is forecasted to grow at an average rate of 6.8% annually between 2022-2032, more than twice the 3.3% growth rate of region’s overall economy, to reach nearly US$ 279 billion (7.2% of the total economy).

The sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to grow 20.5% to US$ 144 billion by the end of 2022, amounting to 5.1% of the total economic GDP, while employment in the sector is set to grow by 3.1% this year to reach nearly 22 million jobs.

The global tourism body’s annual report also shows further optimism for the region’s Travel & Tourism GDP, which could approach pre-pandemic levels by 2023 – just 9% below 2019 levels.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Africa is clearly bouncing back and is set to experience a significant recovery over the couple of years and looking ahead over the next 10 years, the sector could create almost 14 million jobs.

“However, last year the recovery was significantly impacted by Omicron, which saw many countries reinstating severe and unjustified travel restrictions on several key African destinations.”

Before the pandemic, the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP was 6.8% (US$182.4 billion) in 2019, falling to just 3.8% (US$96.5 billion) in 2020 when the pandemic was at its height, nearly halving the contribution of such a crucial sector to the economy with a 47.1% decline.

The sector also supported more than 25 million jobs across the region, which after a 22.9% drop, fell to just 19.6 million in 2020.

However, looking back at 2021, WTTC’s latest EIR report reveals a year in which we saw the beginning of the recovery for the region’s Travel & Tourism sector, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP increased 23.5% year on year, to reach more than US$119 billion.

It also saw a recovery of 1.6 million Travel & Tourism jobs, representing a positive 8.2% rise to reach more than 21 million.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

From Kenya to Cape Town with Tuk Tuks for Rangers

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From Kenya to Cape Town with Tuk Tuks for Rangers - VISITKENYA.com - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, September 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Africa is bleeding without its tourists. The impact of 18 months of lockdown has been devastating. Revenue from tourism is central to the conservation of some of the planet’s most important habitats and wildlife; without it, many of these are in trouble. Poaching, bushmeat, illegal logging and the exploitation of natural resources have all risen dramatically. Those charged with preventing this, wildlife rangers, have seen an increase in their workload, despite many having their funding and salaries slashed. Rangers need help.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

With this in mind, Jasper, Josh, Ivo and Robbie, four conservation minded adventurers living in Kenya, decided to embark on a daring and bone rattling expedition to raise both awareness and money for rangers on the frontline – by driving from Kenya to Cape Town in Tuk Tuks!

The Tuk South team is in the process of transforming its two 8HP Piaggio Tuk Tuks into machines capable of surviving 7000 kms of famously bumpy roads. Installing everything from skid plates and roll cages to solar panels and fold out kitchens (the progress of which you can follow online), their Tuk Tuk’s safari capabilities are slowly being realised.

As they journey from the equator to the southernmost tip of Africa, they will be crossing nearly 35⁰ of latitude and travelling through 7 countries, elephants, jungles, mountains, savanna and the ever hospitable Kalahari desert. The thrills and spills of their journey will be shared on social media as they go. Tuk South has over 155,000 followers on TikTok, clocking up an impressive 15 million views, with many of their followers sharing their passion for sustainability, adventure and conservation. They will be putting their video-making skills to good use – visiting many conservancies, parks and reserves on the way down and telling their ranger’s stories. These stories will form the backbone of a documentary they aim to make on Covids impact on conservation (trailer below). Their content will also cover a healthy dose of adventure and the stories of the grassroot sustainability projects, conservation initiatives and community projects they search out along the way.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News