The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) and Air Arabia have launched promotions to attract Middle East travellers  to the African nation during the upcoming Eid holiday period.

The promotions will highlight Kenya as a family holiday destination with its spectacular nature reserve.

The promotions are also timed to coincide with the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, which has been declared the 7th New Wonder of the World and will be in full swing at the time of the promotions.

Heading the joint promotions between the Kenya Tourist Board and Air Arabia’s these Eid holidays will be an exciting promotion at the popular Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, which will present Kenya as a premier tourist destination and will give GCC residents visiting Dubai during their Eid breaks the chance to discover the African destination further.

At the same time, the Air Arabia team will be on hand to showcase the great value and affordable holiday packages it offers to Kenya. Additionally, Kenya experts will be on hand to answer all questions at the Kenya stand located in the prime area next to the Zara store at the Galleria in the centre of the mall from September 23 to 26.

In the first half of 2009, Kenya experienced a 35 per cent increase in tourist numbers from the Gulf region compared to the same January-June period in 2008, with visitors growing from 4,718 to 6,396.

“Kenya is gaining popularity among GCC residents for its luxury weekend escapes, nature retreats and picturesque golfing holidays. We’ve found that expatriates living in the GCC are increasingly visiting Kenya due to their confidence in the security of the destination, its accessibility and Kenya’s multifaceted attractions. We intend to capitalise on this trend and extend the message out to the many nationals of the region,” stated Najib Balala, Kenyan Minister of Tourism.

“We aim through this joint promotion to increase local awareness about Kenya and offer visitors the chance to benefit from affordable air travel, four times per week, onboard Air Arabia,” added AK Nizar, head of Air Arabia’s Commercial Department.

The Kenya Tourist Board is especially keen to increase awareness among GCC Nationals of Kenya’s many luxurious and secluded lodges that offer visitors magical game reserve and national park experiences along with the quintessential 'Out of Africa' bespoke luxury and comfort, said a spokesperson.-TradeArabia News Service