KTB cashing in on golf tourism in Kenya

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Betty Radier says spin-off tours by golf travelers after tournaments have spiced up the sport and are quickly putting Kenya on the global map as a golf sporting destination. 

Radier made the remarks during a two-day golf tournament by Sunset golf society held at Nyanza golf club in Kisumu over the weekend. The event brought together golfers from the western region and Rwanda. 

According to Mintel International Group Golf Tourism, golf travellers spend on average 2.5 times more than leisure tourists at a destination. Further research also shows the average length of a trip of a domestic visitor is 3.6 days, whereas a golfer stays 4.6 days. Overseas golf travellers stay a minimum of seven nights according to a survey conducted by Golf Travel Consulting. 

“The prevailing all-weather season and other attributes such as connectivity from a golf course to a beach or a game drive have pulled golfers into the country. Having a round of golf in the morning and basking on one of our pristine and white sandy beaches in the same afternoon or having a morning game drive and in the mid-morning get the opportunity to tee off from the Northern to the southern hemisphere is what makes Kenya a magical golf sports destination,” said Radier. 

The Sunset Golf Society chairman James Ondigo said the tournament that has attracted interest for participation in the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania is set for further growth. 

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KTB CEO added that Kenya has continued to cement her position as a growing golf destination through the annual Magical Kenya Open that attracts participation from over 40 countries across the globe. 

Last year during the seventh Annual World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Kenya scooped Africa's Best Golf Destination 2020 category ahead of South Africa, Egypt and Morocco.