We organize familiarization trips for travel agents and members of media, as well as organize buyer/seller meetings so as to facilitate the interaction between agents in India and Kenya and build their confidence that they are dealing with someone they know and understand. Through agents we can reach the consumer and we want to position Africa as the preferred destination for travellers from India and the Indian subcontinent.In addition, Kenya Airways encourages tour operators and travel agents to promote Kenya as well as the rest of Africa, thus combining the best of the continent as  only Kenya Airways can. For those agents who need assistance in planning tours, our sales team takes time to understand the needs of the customer and assists the agent in developing a tour programme. If necessary, we also provide agents with the contact details of Kenyan agents who know and understand the needs of the Indian market. We conduct many contests and prize-giveaways - such as the Simba Contest - for travel agents to involve them in promoting Kenya. Our sales team consistently encourages agents to get involved and we regularly update our schemes sent to enhance participation.

We also hold award functions for agents to recognize top revenue supporters and thank them for their support. Our emphasis is to enlighten consumers that Kenya is safe to visit as a destination. Even the Kenyan government has taken initiatives in this direction. They have set up the Tourism Police unit which travels along the tourism route. The other important factor, especially for the Indian traveller, is food. In Kenya, we have a very large Indian community and quite a few Indian-owned restaurants, hotel chains and tour companies. Most tour operators cater to the Indian palette. There is also a general perception that Kenya is an expensive destination.

Transportation is generally expensive, but invariably most Kenya packages are all inclusive and full-board. We want to enlighten consumers that the package to Kenya may appear expensive but this figure is inclusive as you pay only once for the entire trip comprising of meals, sightseeing, wildlife safaris and transportation. This makes it easier to budget personal expenses.

Which are the various segments of passengers travelling out of India on Kenya Airways to connect with the African continent?
 Currently, the leisure segment comprises 15% of our total business from India. As Kenya has much to offer especially in terms of wildlife and adventure, we are looking to continue promoting tourism. Besides leisure travellers, 30% are business travellers, 7% are the VFR segment (Visiting Friends and Relatives) and 4% are traders. Seamen travellers are around 8% and labourers constitute about 30%. Religious travellers constitute 6%. We have a good mix of travellers.
 
 How has the growth in the Indian market been for Kenya Airways and what have been the significant achievements of Kenya Airways in 2008?
 Over the last few years, the load factor has improved by 10%. We have an average load factor of 80% and during peak periods, it increases to 90%. Even during the low season our load factor is maintained at 70%. The Indian market has always been very supportive of the Kenyan market and we are encouraged by the consistent growth. We strongly believe that Africa has the business opportunities and unique holiday experience to offer the Indian market that will ensure this trend continues into 2009 and beyond. Our most significant achievement in 2008 would have to be continuing to remain profitable despite the turbulent and challenging times in the aviation industry.

Kenya joined SkyTeam as an associate airline in 2007. What is the significance of joining SkyTeam?
SkyTeam is the second largest airline alliance in the world - behind Star Alliance - partnering fourteen carriers from four continents. Kenya Airways became an associate airline of the alliance in September 2007.

Benefits for passengers include:

What are the future plans of expansion of Kenya Airways out of India?
While our goal is always to expand our market, sustainability is our first priority. We are constantly monitoring the demands and yields. Currently the Bilateral Air Services agreement between India and Kenya presents Kenya Airways with the opportunity to explore operations to Delhi. We are monitoring the situation and based on this information, we shall consider operating to additional points in India when the market situation is right.

Which are the key sectors that one can connect with Kenya Airways and what are the new routes that Kenya Airways has added in recent months?
Kenya Airways not only caters to travellers heading to Kenya but also to other destinations in the African continent and onwards to Europe as well. Kenya Airways connects India to 39 destinations in Africa including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lagos, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam. Kenya is strategically located in the Eastern part of Africa and many travellers prefer using Nairobi as a hub to visit popular destinations in Egypt and South Africa. This makes it easy to combine different destinations such as experiencing a safari in Kenya and then proceeding to Cape Town and driving along the Garden Route. After heading to Johannesburg and visiting Sun City, one can move on to Kenya and then fly back home.

This combination allows the price component for the airline ticket to be drastically reduced, thus achieving excellent value for money. In the last 2 years, Kenya Airways has adopted a policy of consolidating its growth and investing more on its people and systems. As a result, the only new route added in 2008 was to Antananarivo, Madagascar which opened in November. For the 2009 schedule, we will be commencing thrice-weekly flights to Brazzaville, Congo and four weekly flights to Blantyre, Malawi. These new routes will commence operations from 30 March. In addition, we will commence twice-weekly flights to Liberville, Gabon from 04 June and we will commence thrice-weekly flights to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 01 July.

Kenya Airways also codeshares with KLM and Air France, giving passengers access to European destinations including Glasgow, Athens, Rome, Zurich, Manchester, Madrid, Copenhagen, Berlin, Frankfurt and Barcelona. Service to Seoul is codesharing with Korean Air.

Which are the times of year that you would recommend to Indian visitors to get the best safari experiences?
Kenya is a year-round destination. From July to September however, visitors can experience one of the greatest wonders of the natural world – the animal migration. This is truly a value for money experience. Most visitors from India travel during their summer vacation which is from April to June. As this time of year is low season in Kenya, the best deals are available. The Great Migration which is globally legendary takes place during August and September Kenya offers the perfect experience for honeymooners especially because of the fantastic weather it offers during the months of November until January which is a popular time for weddings in India. The MICE segment travels during the off periods (February/ March/ July) as the best deals are available. The Diwali holidays are also a very popular time to visit Kenya.