Tailor-made stay for Indians

Rosemary Mugambi, Regional Sales & Marketing Director, Serena Hotels East Africa, explains that their properties are designed to cater to the needs of Indian travellers in every segment.

TT Bureau

Claiming that India is one of the top source markets for East Africa and considered among the fastest growing outbound tourism and travel markets, Rosemary Mugambi says, “With an increase in spending power of Indian travel- lers, the government, through Kenya Tourism Board, is taking the initiative to lead local travel trade partners on strategies to grow numbers in the Indian market. This is helping to not only position Kenya, but also Africa, as a favorable destination for Indian travellers who are among the highest spending globetrotters in the world. Serena Hotels East Africa, with its portfolio of 24 properties in East Africa and Mozambique, has identified India as one of the emerging markets the company would like to grow and work with, seeing the rise in demand from both business and leisure travellers.”

Serena Hotels has identified Nijhawan Group as its India sales and marketing representative to create awareness for Serena Hotels in the India market

Mugambi also claims that the recent launch of direct flights to Kenya by Air India, in addition to Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania having direct flights to India, has opened new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment between India and the East African region.

“Serena Hotels has identified Nijhawan Group as its India sales and marketing representative to create awareness for Serena Hotels in the India market. Nijhawan Group creates brand awareness through B2B and B2C marketing strategies, where they highlight our unique selling points such as being an authentic African hospitality brand, offering exotic destinations, unique signature experiences, exceptional services, and the best culinary offerings,” she adds. “Whether the traveller is a Jain, vegan or vegetarian, our experienced Indian chefs at some of the properties such as Nairobi Serena Hotel ensure we meet the dietary needs of the Indian traveller,” Mugambi shares.

Together with its trade partners, Serena Hotels has developed a calendar of activities that include agent and media familiarisation trips, sales workshops, travel exhibitions, trainings, and public relations activities spread out throughout the year. Over the years, Serena Hotels has also continuously addressed the different culinary requirements of the Indian traveller.

Later this year, Serena Hotels will launch a new property – Goma Serena Hotel – in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This beachfront five-Star hotel will be located in the North-Kivu province which borders Rwanda. Those visiting can look forward to gorilla trekking and/or water sports in Lake Kivu.