AFRICA TRAVEL WEEK TREND REPORT 2023
It’s estimated that by 2026, Millennials and Gen Z will be responsible for more than 60% of luxury spending across all industries, up from 39% in 2019. 2023 experienced a shift especially on luxury traveler becoming younger compared to previous years. As a result, the travel and tourism industry are forced to shift their service delivery. These travellers are young (in their late twenties, thirties, and forties), savvy, and craving connection with others, nature, and themselves.
Research shows that this generation would rather spend money on a holiday than invest in real estate. The new luxury traveler spends more money and time in one destination, get more involved in the community, wants less packing and unpacking and prefer to use one base that they can call ‘home’ while exploring the area or heading off on day trips to nearby locations.
The report shows that the multi-generational travel trend docks on one place rather than changing location every day or two. As a result, most families now opt to spend up to five nights at a single lodge.
In other words, they want memorable experiences by meeting people who change their lives, and as they gain new perspectives. Transformational travel and conservation are things they want to be involved in. Thus, the industry needs to open itself up to entirely newer ways of service delivery.
The industry, especially travel suppliers, needs a fresh marketing approach since its marketing to a new traveler. The recommendation according to the report shows that going forward, Instagram will be a key focus for travel brands since most of the younger generation who adds up to prospective travellers use this platform to look for inspiration for trips by scrolling through photos and watching reels.
In addition, all marketing materials for the industry need to reflect the new luxury traveler. The front of the e-brochure should focus on the image of a young family or solo traveler participating in something extraordinary instead of the traditional smiling retired couple.
Finally, adventure tourism is trending. For those seeking a thrill, Africa is the ultimate playground. Whether scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, rafting down the Zambezi River, or bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, there’s no shortage of heart-pumping experiences to be had on the continent. And with adventure travel continuing to grow in popularity, Africa is poised to be a top destination for years to come. A colourful look at the trends shaping the travel industry in Africa. From the power of colour to the influence of Netflix and the allure of adventure, there’s something for everyone on the world’s most vibrant continent.
Africa Climate Summit 2023: A chance to fight climate change and build a sustainable tourism industry
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from September 4th to 6th. The summit will bring together government officials, business leaders, environmental activists, and representatives from international organizations to discuss ways to fight climate change and build a sustainable tourism industry in Africa.
Kenya is a country with a rich natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. The summit will highlight the importance of preserving these natural resources and developing sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 is a chance for Africa to take a leading role in the fight against climate change. The summit will also be an opportunity to showcase the potential of sustainable tourism to create jobs, protect the environment, and improve the lives of people in Africa.
In Kenya, the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project (NKRCP) is a good example. Considered to be the world’s largest soil carbon removal project, the NKRCP aims to remove 50 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere over 30 years, which is the equivalent of the annual emissions from over 10 million cars.
The continent stands at the precipice of transformative change, where sustainability and tourism unite to shape a brighter, greener Africa. Join us in Nairobi this September to build a brighter, greener future for Africa.
The Nairobi Climate Countdown: Your Must-Do Activities
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city has risen in a single century from a brackish uninhabited swampland to a thriving modern capital. The local Maasai called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai’beri – the place of cold water. Modern Nairobi is still the safari capital of the world and one of Africa’s largest, and most interesting cities. Nairobi is a city that never seems to sleep, a place of great contrasts where race, tribe and origin all become facets of a unique Nairobi character. Here’s your safari-inspired guide to make the most of your time during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit.
1. NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
The world’s wildlife capital, Nairobi National Park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi and the world’s oldest protected wildlife area within the boundaries of a capital city. The park is home to Zebra, Buffalo, Giraffe, Lions and the endangered Black Rhino in their natural habitat. The park is also home to over 500 bird species.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Camping, Picnics, Photography
2. KARURA FOREST
The Karura Forest is an urban upland forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. This remarkable geographical location and natural resource is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world fully within a city limits. Karura Forest is open to all visitors who share a love for nature and common respect for Kenya’s unspoilt natural beauty.
Tour Highlights:
Cave exploration, Walking, Running and Biking trails, Birding
3. SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a rehabilitation centre for Elephant calves rescued from all over Kenya. They receive extremely specialized treatment here, and literally receive personal care 24 hours a day from highly dedicated staff who become surrogate mothers to the calves. Eventually the calves are carefully reintroduced into the wild.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Conservation talks
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
4. NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Nairobi National Museum offers an enlightening introduction to Kenya’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Within the museum, you will find prised collections, contemporary art and craft galleries, shopping and dining facilities. Amongst the famous exhibits at the museum is the Turkana boy, dating back to 1.6million years ago, considered the only almost complete skeleton of a human related fossil ever found in the world. Also within the grounds are the famous Snake Park, Botanical Gardens and Nature Trail.
Tour Highlights:
Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions, Botanical Gardens and Nature Trail
5. GIRAFFE CENTRE
The Giraffe Centre has become world-famous as a Nature Education Centre offering information about giraffes and in particular the endangered Rothschild giraffe, a subspecies of the giraffe found only in the grasslands of East Africa. The centre has an elevated feeding platform where visitors meet the resident giraffes face to face. Hand feeding giraffes is an education in itself. You will see, close at hand, how they use their long, prehensile tongues to remove leaves from prickly acacia branches.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Conservation talks, Kissing a Giraffe
6. NAIROBI SAFARI WALK
The Nairobi Safari Walk contains simulated forests, wetlands and savannahs, giving visitors an opportunity to learn about these valuable resources and how they can contribute to conservation. On display, too, are plants and animals that are locally extinct or threatened. The Safari Walk is a showcase for Kenya’s parks and reserves, allowing visitors to discover what they can expect to see across the country. Visitors can see a sample of the country’s rich animal life including the rare bongo, white rhino and albino zebra as well as cats, antelopes and primates. It is also home to some 150 species of local trees.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Birding, Nature walks
7. NAIROBI ANIMAL ORPHANAGE
Nairobi Animal Orphanage, the oldest animal orphanage in Kenya, is set amid the lush vegetation of Nairobi National Park. It was established in 1964 as a refuge and rehabilitation centre for wild animals found abandoned or injured in Kenya. Animals received at the facility undergo a medical examination, followed by treatment where called for, before entering a feeding and rehabilitation programme. As part of resource mobilization initiatives, animal adoption opportunities are available at the Animal Orphanage.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Birding, Nature walks, Animal adoption
8. NAIROBI ARBORETUM
The Arboretum occupies 30 hectors and is home to over 350 different species of trees and over 100 migrant and resident birds. The Arboretum is one of Nairobi’s few remaining green spaces, with jogging trails, walking paths and picnic lawns.
Tour Highlights:
Birding, Nature walks, Jogging trails, Picnics
9. ICE SKATING AT PANARI
The Solar Ice Rink at Panari is the only one of its kind in East and Central Africa. The Ice Rink provides a fun and safe environment for skaters of all ages and abilities. Never tried it before? Don’t worry, lessons are available, presented in concise levels for kids and adults with little or no skating experience.
Tour Highlights:
Ice Skating, Ice Hockey
10. CLIMB BLUESKY – INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING
For a more active family outing, visit Climb BlueSky and test your climbing skills at this indoor climbing arena. With top rope walls, up to 6.5 meters high and over 100 rope routes for all levels of climbers, this one of a kind gym is a great place to come with family and perhaps begin the exploration journey to more climbing opportunities in Magical Kenya.
Tour Highlights:
Climbing (Top rope walls, Bouldering walls)
www.blueskykenya.org
BEYOND THE CITY – DAY TRIPS OUT OF NAIROBI
Fresh air, pristine beauty, and incredible wildlife; there’s so much to love about Kenya. Kenya’s sprawling landscape offers an excellent variety of environments to explore. From the misty highlands to the endless savannahs, nature-lovers will rejoice at the bounty of experiences to be had. If you’re looking for day trips near Nairobi, here are a few tips.
11. KARUNGURU COFFEE TOUR
Approx. 38km from Nairobi
Karunguru farm has taken over eighty years to perfect the art and increase proficiency in farming, picking, drying, roasting, grinding, and packaging of single origin coffee. Branding, roasted coffee production and coffee education through coffee tasting tours are now the farms main priorities and visitors to the farm can take the journey that coffee has to go through before getting to your cup!
Tour Highlights:
Farm Tour, Coffee Tasting, Nature trails
12. THE FOREST – ANSWER THE CALL OF THE WILD!
Approx. 60km from Nairobi
Situated in the heart of the Aberdare Ranges, in the Kereita Forest, The Forest provides affordable wide range of activities that will cater to your spirit of adventure. From zip lining to archery, horse riding to mountain biking; here you will find a wide scope of action and adventure activities for those seeking an experience in a natural environment.
Tour Highlights:
Zip lining, Paintball, Biking, Hiking, Foot Golf, Camping, Horse Riding
13. MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
Approx. 85km from Nairobi
When an entire park is created around an extinct volcano, you know it is pretty special. The name Longonot is derived from the Maasai word Oloonongiot meaning mountains of many spurs or steep ridges. Rising to 2,776 meters above sea level, Mount Longonot offers remarkable views of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. Due to the nature of the terrain Mount Longonot is ideal for hikes to the top and rim of the crater.
Tour Highlights:
Photography, Hiking
14. SAGANA – WHITE WATER RAFTING
Approx. 110km from Nairobi
The Tana River has some excellent rapids for white water rafting. A trip to Sagana offers a combination of 16kms of white water (up to Class V in season) and 12 km of clear river ideal for calm drifts through spectacular scenery, an excellent taster for Kenya’s other white water adventures. The drifts offer a good opportunity for bird watching along the riverbanks. If you are looking for an adventurous and adrenaline filled day trip out of Nairobi, this is the perfect option.
Tour Highlights:
Rafting, Kayaking, Birding
15. LAKE NAIVASHA BOAT TOURS
110km from Nairobi
Lake Naivasha is an ideal place for boating, with wide open waters, fantastic surrounding scenery and plenty of channels to explore. Boats can be hired from many of Naivasha lakeside lodges and camps, an excellent way to see plenty of birdlife and hippos up close. Combine the boat tour with a visit to the Crescent Island game sanctuary where you can walk among herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and other plains game for a memorable day trip out of Nairobi.
Tour Highlights:
Boat Tour, Wildlife viewing, Photography, Hiking, Birding
16. HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK
125km from Nairobi
Hells Gate National Park is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha and is characterised by diverse topography and geological scenery. The park has high cliffs with several possible hiking routes, and plenty of opportunity for climbs and abseiling. Hells Gate National park is the only National park in Kenya where visitors are completely free to walk and bike anywhere in the Park all year round.
Tour Highlights:
Wildlife viewing, Hiking, Biking, Rock Climbing, Geo Thermal Pools
CRUISE UPDATE & FORECAST (2023 CLIA – Cruise Industry Report)
Cruise passenger volume is forecast to reach 106% of 2019 levels in 2023—with 31.5 million passengers sailing. This compares to the UNWTO forecast t(January 2023) that international tourist arrivals in 2023 will be 80% to 95% of 2019 levels. 85% of travellers who have cruised will cruise again, 6% higher than pre-pandemic.
Collaborative, sustainable tourism initiatives led by the cruise industry, destinations, ports, community organisations, and stakeholders are helping to achieve mutual objectives to preserve the integrity, cultural heritage, and beauty of the world’s most treasured destinations for future generations.
Top 15 trends in cruise industry
1. Younger generations are the future of cruise with 88% of Millennials and 86% of Gen-X travellers who have cruised before say they plan to cruise again
2. Cruise lines are offering both shorter and longer cruise itineraries to attract more first-time cruisers and meet the needs of repeat cruisers.
3. Solo cruise travel is on the rise. Cruise lines are responding by increasing the number of single cabins in new ships and retrofitting some of their existing ships to include additional cabins designed for those traveling alone.
4. There is an acceleration of environmental technologies and practices present on cruise ships as the industry pursues net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.
5. The commitment of cruise travellers and potential new-to-cruise travellers to the environment is on the rise with 50% of current and potential cruise travellers saying they are more committed to making travel decisions based on environmental impacts than they were three years ago.
6. Cruise lines are increasingly offering environmental education and sustainable tour experiences for passengers.
7. The number of accessible cabins across the cruise line fleet is increasing.
8. Younger cruise travellers—from Gen Z to Millennials to Gen X—turn to travel advisors to book their cruises more so than any other generation.
9. Cruise holidays appeal to those looking for multi-generational travel options. Today 73% of cruise travellers are sailing with family members that represent at least two generations.
10. The CLIA-member cruise line fleet of ships is projected to exceed 300 ocean-going vessels for the first time in 2024.
11. Traveler interest in booking an expedition cruise is higher than ever as travellers seek more immersive, responsible, bucket-list travel experiences.
12. Cruise lines are offering more immersive cruise travel opportunities to passengers. Cruise lines are scheduling longer stays, including overnight stays, in certain ports of call.
13. More cruise travellers plan to book longer cruises for their next holiday with 43% saying they plan to book a longer cruise and 43% saying they plan to book a similar length cruise.
14. Family and friends have the most influence on traveler decisions to book a cruise or not with 86% of cruise travellers saying family and friends had either some influence or significant influence in their choice to cruise.
15. To attract more first-time cruisers and meet the needs of repeat cruisers, cruise lines are offering both shorter and longer cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise association, providing a unified voice for the industry as the leading authority of the global cruise community. Together with our members and partners, CLIA supports policies and practices that foster safe, healthy, and sustainable cruise operations; tourism strategies that maximize the socio-economic benefits of cruise travel; and technologies and innovations that protect and preserve our planet.
INDIGO AIRLINE BEGINS FLIGHTS BETWEEN MUMBAI AND NAIROBI
IndiGo, India’s preferred carrier, has announced Nairobi as the 28th international in the 6E network. The airline opened bookings for daily non-stop flights between Mumbai, India’s and Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city starting August 5, 2023.
This new route marks IndiGo’s entry into the African subcontinent and brings numerous benefits to both business and leisure travellers. It represents a significant stride in IndiGo’s international expansion strategy, as it strengthens strategic ties, trade, and travel routes between the two countries, thereby promoting economic growth.
Speaking on this, Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi, a significant step towards strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Kenya. The two countries have witnessed significant developments in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges in recent years. With India emerging as Kenya’s third-largest trading partner and witnessing increased
investments in key sectors like commerce, technology, and agriculture, this new air route will further enhance economic ties and facilitate seamless connectivity between the two countries. With our expanding network, we remain committed to fulfilling our promise of delivering on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our valued customers.”
The Kenya Tourism Board Ag CEO John Chirchir says, “Kenya is happy with IndiGo airline’s launch of direct flights from Mumbai to Nairobi from August 2023. This is a milestone in the drive towards growing the number of visitor arrivals from India, the leading Asian source market. This direct access into Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi – a regional business and travel hub, will no doubt accord leisure tourists and business visitors or investors a seamless connection with the destination besides our National carrier – Kenya Airways.
“Our collaboration includes a series of tactical marketing and sales campaigns to solidify Kenya’s position as the preferred travel destination for Indians who are keen on wildlife and safari, beach, culinary, adventure, business meetings or events, and special occasions like weddings and honeymoon.” says Chirchir
Enhanced accessibility will benefit business travellers and boost tourism, cultural exchanges, and collaboration in various fields. It marks an important milestone in the India-Kenya relationship and demonstrates the shared commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships for growth and development.
Nairobi, the vibrant gateway to Africa’s magnificent safaris, captivates visitors with its blend of contemporary allure and rich heritage. It offers an exhilarating journey where wildlife encounters and pulsating nightlife take center stage. Travellers can explore iconic attractions such as the Karen Blixen Museum, where the echoes of Africa’s past come alive, or have up-close encounters with graceful giraffes at the Giraffe Centre. The expansive Nairobi National Park is home to majestic black rhinos freely roaming in their natural habitat. Nature enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the lush enchantment of Karura Forest or conquer the breathtaking Ngong Hills. The vibrant energy of Village Market beckons with its lively ambience. For an ultimate safari experience, adventurers can venture to the awe-inspiring Samburu National Park, where untamed wilderness and awe-inspiring landscapes await discovery. Nairobi promises a multitude of thrilling escapades and unforgettable moments at every turn.
Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website www.goIndiGo.in. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.
| Flight No. | Origin | Destination | Frequency | Effective | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E 1853 | Mumbai | Nairobi | Daily | Aug 05, 2023 | 2:10 | 5:40 |
| 6E 1854 | Nairobi | Mumbai | Daily | Aug 05, 2023 | 6:40 | 15:25 |
About IndiGo
IndiGo is amongst the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the world. IndiGo has a simple philosophy: offer fares that are affordable, flights that are on time, and provide a courteous and hassle-free travel experience across its unparalleled network. With its fleet of over 300 aircraft, the airline is operating well over 1800 daily flights and connecting 78 domestic destinations and will soon further grow its international footprint to 32 international destinations. India by IndiGo! For more information, please visit http://www.goindigo.in/ or download our mobile app. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
