Today's and Tomorrows Travel - Assignment Example

TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S TRAVEL Currently, tourism has become central towards the growth and development of some economies of countries of this world. It’s people’s tendency to move and explore nature’s beauty in many parts of the world. The earth has been endowed with different kinds of biodiversity which man has not yet discovered. When successful attempts are made in discovering these places, there’s increased curiosity for people to visit them and learn about the new phenomena. Advances in information research and development coupled with accessibility factors have been the driving pillar of today’s tourism industry. Tourism destinations across the world have been in competition to attract clients to their spaces to enjoy beautiful sceneries that abound. Those destinations that have simple systems for advancing information to potential clients receive better advantages. People all over the world are in need of crucial information that matches their preferences, systems that are able to advance this information provides great businesses as people easily get them in search engines and other databases. For this reason, it is important that tourism destinations establish their information systems in a manner that enhances access from people that are interested. In addition there is need to have other important factors well catered for in the destinations which can appeal to different people from all corners of the world. People will always prefer to move to those destinations that fulfill their curiosity to the maximum, giving them utility for their money. Important things that people look for are the kind of reception offered, special features that people are bound to have like discounts, staff attendance, the kind of space that exists, popularity of the destination among other important personal preferences that enhance the same. This papers looks at these and other important aspects of tourism and travel factors that drive modern tourism sector in different parts of the world, having the Kenyan tourism destination as the case study. The east African region has been known to have numerous tourism destinations in Africa and the world at large. Countries in East Africa boost of the best tourism destinations that attract visitors from all parts of the world. The East African region enjoys favorable climate all year round, something that gives it an added advantage compared to countries that are found to the extreme North and South of the equator. During winter, tourist destinations especially in Kenya and Tanzania are a host to several tourists from European countries. These two countries have benefited immensely from tourism earning in the past and have put in place strategies aimed at making them perfect stop spots for tourists from Europe, America, Asia and all other parts of the world. Kenya has been the greatest beneficiary of east Africa’s tourism activities followed by Tanzania. This is partly because of the many tourism destination that the country enjoys and the vast developments that have been witnessed in the transport and telecommunication infrastructure over the past ten years during past governance regimes. Besides national parks, the country has been boosting of what has become the eighth wonder of the world; the wildebeest migrations that are happening every year between the country and its neighbor Tanzania. During the migration seasons all its hotels and restaurants are always fully booked with a majority of international tourists who always want to have a first experience in the migration of millions of the species. The migrations are usually caused by seasonal differences which lead to fertile grasslands in either side of the countries at different times of the year. The beauty of the tourism experience is witnessing wildebeests crossing River Mara which is renowned for its ferocious crocodile. Only strong animals are able to survive the ferocious jaws of the hungry crocodiles while the weak ones are swept away by the raging floods and eaten away by the crocodiles and other carnivores that are always eagerly waiting (Maasai Mara Kenya; The killing fields, 2013). The Ministry of Tourism in Kenya has been on the forefront monitoring tourism statistics and making recommendations to different sectors that enhance tourism activities in the country. The question which most people try to ask is how people get to understand about the Maasai Mara and other tourism destinations in Kenya. In actual sense, there are lots of information about tourism and tourism destinations in Kenya. The Kenya tourism board has been tasked with ensuring tourists across the world are given important information about Kenya’s tourism prospects so as to increase tourism income earnings. The following are summary statistics about tourism earnings between the years 1995 and 2010; Source; Index Mundi (n.d) Information from the Ministry of Tourism has revealed statistics that of the growing industry at a fast pace. The following are visitor statistics from other countries that have been visiting the country between the periods 2008 – 2011. These statistics reveal that there is an increasing number of people that are entering the country for various tourism purposes. This numbers have been increasing due to the prevailing stable economic conditions prevailing in the country. Source; Index Mundi (n.d) The wildlife has been the backbone of Kenya’s tourism sector; national parks have been having great number of visitors with many of the people coming to visit Kenya’s big five which comprises of the Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and the Buffalo (Harrison, 2008). Most of these animals are rare in most countries of the world, having them has meant great competitive advantages among its neighbor countries. In the recent past, the Maasai Mara has become the main centre of focus with people interested in exploring the world’s eighth wonder (Maasai Mara Kenya; The killing fields, 2013). The Mara reserve was established in 1961 as a way of protecting the endangered species that were being killed by poachers. It is true to note that the Mara is the main reason why many people want to visit Kenya during animal migration seasons (Conrad, 2007). The animal reserve is specifically located in the Southwestern parts of Kenya and borders its neighbor Tanzania (Elman, 2000). The best time to visit the reserve and enjoy beautiful sceneries is in the periods of July and October when migrations are on (Witness the great migration, 2012). During this time, there is plenty of food for carnivores, which in most cases are Lions, Leopards and cheetahs. Visitors in the Mara have better opportunities to view the animals in the mornings and evenings when temperatures are low. Besides animals, the Mara has a serene environment with warm temperatures which are conducive for people who are coming from temperate countries or from the cold winters. The people around the Mara are very hospitable with a colorful culture which tourists can enjoy learning about (Nicholson, 2005). In order to improve on the number of visitors the Kenyan tourism board has engaged a vibrant marketing mix which is bound to cause a tremendous growth in the number of tourists that are visiting the country between now and the years to come. The marketing mix has been developed to target most markets in Asia and some parts of Europe. With this vibrant marketing plan, the country has placed itself as the leading safari destination in the entire western market. The development of this marketing mix with a focus on Asian counties has been fueled by the increasing interest by Asian markets in Africa. Having good hotels with magnificent facilities in the larger East Africa coupled by state of the art conference facilities the country’s tourism industry looks bright in the coming future. Some of the most important factors that have been given due consideration in the development of the marketing mix include the following; development of a successful brand name has been the main concern. In this competitive market, development of a strong and effective brand identity seems to be the sole idea that is driving the tourism industry in Kenya. Kenya’s brand name that has been developed does not only give preference to physical experiences that people have whenever they visit the country, but also the emotional feelings and experiences that are left in the minds of those people visiting the country. The Kenya tourism board has been successful in making a consistent brand that has been successful in the recent past. The brand has largely contributed to the increase in the number of people that have been visiting the country, not only from the Asian countries but also from other parts of the world. Kenya’s tourism has received enormous great boost from the various personalities that have been shining in Kenya’s sporting fraternity. Its excellent athletes have been marketing the brand in various places where they have been participating in. diamond leagues in various parts of Europe have been best points where the Kenyans athletes have been marketing Kenya’s brand name, not forgetting the spirited efforts by its rugby players that receive a lot of applause in the circuit series they have been participating in. Internet marketing has proved to be instrumental in the creation and improvement of the marketing mix by the tourism board. Preference of internet marketing is due to the fact that the method is cost-effective and has the advantage of reaching many people within a short period of time. With advancement in, many of the tourists who are educated and tech-savvy preferred making the search about tourism destinations using search engines. When planning for holidays and company tours most of these people and other corporate organizations preferred to use the internet to make inquiries and bookings. It is for this reason that the Kenyan tourism board made use of the internet media in coming up with strategies that provide information about Kenya’s tourism industry. The board has been taking steps to translate the website of magical Kenya into languages that appeal to their target markets. The board has been sponsoring initiatives to establish various forums and blogs that will advance the goals of the board. Currently, the board is offering prizes and gifts to tourists who are sharing their stories and experiences about the country’s tourism industry. In the same way, they have also created systems for collecting feedback from tourists who come to Kenya so that they can improve their operations from the recommendations that they are having about the country’s tourist destinations. All this strategies have not been possible without successful partnership and coordination with the country’s local culture. In addressing the problems of language barriers between local residents and tourists, the tourism board has put into place plans to make collaborations with local agencies, companies and various government agencies in order to ensure that tourists enjoy better experiences whenever they come to the country. While in Asian county’s the board has organized partnerships with the governments so that is can organize effective road shows in a bid to publicize the Kenyan tourism destinations. In addition, the board has planned strategies with the local agencies in a bid to train local staff on matter of customer service and effective delivery of duties and responsibilities. On of the strategies that have been very successful have been the use of advertisements and other promotional tools. Advertisements have been going on locally and international in various touch points. The tourism board has launched many tourism magazines and journals including television programs and the internet. All this promotional tools have been effective in increasing the number of people that have been visiting the country. Marketing strategies have been boosted by the conducive political climate that has been peaceful causing many people to prefer to come to the country and enjoy the tourism destinations. In addition, there has also been a rapid investment in transport infrastructure which has ked increased accessibility in many parts of the country. Tourism destinations have effectively been linked up, reducing the time needed to visit the destinations and enjoy. In addition, automation of systems in various hotels and tourism centers have been implemented. Clients are able to make online inquiries, payments and bookings with much ease that the process was several years ago. Online platforms have been a great boost to tourist activities since little time is needed in order to facilitate process while in the hotels and other recreational centers. References Elman, J. (2000). Mission: Maasai. Photo District News, 20(3), 101-102. Conrad, K. (2007). Valley entrepreneur finds cause in Kenya: Saving the wildebeests. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Washington. Harrison, N. (2008). Natural born leaders; human Resources. Mark Allen Publishing Ltd. London Index Mundi (n.d). Kenya - International tourism. Retrieved from, Maasai Mara Kenya; The killing fields (2013). Mint. HT Media Ltd. New Delhi Nicholson, N. (2005). Meeting the Maasai: Messages for management. Journal of Management Inquiry, 14(3), p. 255-267. Witness the great migration (2012). Travel & Tourism News Middle East: TTN. Manama: Al Bawaba (Middle East) Ltd. Manama Read More