Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 6, 2023

Leicester Square is the throbbing quadrilateral at the center of London’s tourist district. It has got a whole new look for the festive season. At the square, the Christmas market stalls abound with each selling seasonal treats, delicious food, and drinks. To put it simply, you will be gleefully drowning in glühwein and bratwurst. Sounds jolly enough? And yet that is not all! Along with the fairy-lit rhombus of Crimbo commerce, there is the Spiegeltent who will be playing host to a hoard of performances. The Olivier Award-winning variety show La Clique will be present. La Clique is the Aussie alternative circus and cabaret show that stays here for 8 weeks. They will be ringing in Christmas in style while returning for another year of vibrance and talent. The full details for the show have not been announced but previous line-ups included kids and family-friendly entertainment. Similar shows can be expected this year too. Refreshments are available nearby with attractions and shopping. The dates and times for the 2023 Christmas market haven’t yet been announced. The live entertainment has been curated by Underbelly. Although an hour will be lost of the daily sunlight, a buzzy Christmas market under the twinkling lights of Christmas is exactly what can cheer us up. Get ready to party with a lot of soul and cheer at the Leicester Square market. You can visit the square anytime between November 8 to January 7, 2024. It is sure to boost up your festive spirit. Entry is free but there are tickets to be booked for additional shows like La Clique. This will; obviously incur extra costs. The nearest station is Leicester Square but you can also have a lot of fun walking from Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus. Read Also: Singaporean Expert Says Vietnam Tourism Needs Better Destination Management: Report Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists Montana: The Unique Treasure Trove Of The United States

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 11, 2023

Officials have issued a statement that Thailand is bent on restoring the confidence of tourists in the tourism sector. The statement follows closely on the heels of a mass shooting at a luxury mall. Two foreigners have been killed, and it has made hopes of attracting overseas visitors a distant dream. On Tuesday, the police arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of having unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the Siam Paragon Mall. The location being the center of Bangkok’s commercial zone has raised all too many eyebrows. The incident caused the death of two women- one of them from China and the other from Myanmar, injuring five people. Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, has said that the agencies have vowed to do their best to restore confidence. "We need to improve security in all areas for Thai and foreign tourists," she said without explaining any necessary steps being taken. Somsong Sachaphimukh, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand industry group, has remarked, "This will impact tourism confidence and will affect our reputation. In the past, there were complaints about safety from China but this was something unthinkable." Chinese tourists have accounted for 11 million of the 39.9 million foreign visitors in Thailand in 2019. Tourism so far has been pretty slow, and it has prompted the government to decide on the visa waiver ahead of the peak season. Thai Examiner issued a report on the fee situation so far. The visa waiver will be collected from foreign travelers to provide “emergency medical health insurance cover and other benefits for 30 days from the point of entry.” The report explained that the fee needs “to be paid on arrival at kiosks at Immigration Bureau points of entry, including at airports after landing. The fee will also be delivered via a website or smartphone app.” It further added that “The tourism fee is supported broadly by the tourism industry as its tourist insurance fund is considered an essential step forward given the repeated stories of tragedies, accidents, and personal disasters which occur every year.” Read Also: Israel Government Declares War: Multiple Flights Cancelled National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago Columbus Day And Indigenous People’s Day: What IS Open And What Is Closed?