By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has announced that all Team Kenya medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will receive complimentary holidays, according to CEO June Chepkemei.
Speaking at the Kenya House in Hotel de Ville in Paris, France, on Sunday, Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei highlighted that this gesture is a token of appreciation for the athletes representing Kenya at the Paris Olumpics.
She emphasized that athletes are among Kenya’s best ambassadors, and rewarding them aligns with the department’s commitment to sports tourism.
“We have started working with athletes as our brand ambassadors. We believe they represent the country on the global stage better than anything else,” said Chepkemei. “The Paris Olympics is just the beginning.”
Chepkemei stated that all medalists would have the opportunity to tour and experience various Kenyan destinations.
She also noted that KTB is working hard to ensure the Paris Olympics highlight Kenya’s trade and investment opportunities, beyond its tourist attractions.
“The Olympics is a great opportunity for a country to showcase itself,” she said. “It’s a platform for us to be represented not only on the field but also outside, showing that we are much more than the world thinks.”
Chepkemei encouraged tourists to visit Kenya and experience its unique culture and heritage.
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She reported that tourist numbers are rising compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. “We had a maximum of two million tourists before COVID, which decreased during the pandemic. However, the numbers are rising, though not to what we anticipated.”
“We have surpassed the two million mark again and are targeting more than five million,” she revealed. “We had over one million tourists in the first half of the year, an increase from 600,000 in the previous period.”