Tourism Observer

Kenya's tourism sector is set to benefit enormously following the launch of direct flights to Kenya by China Southern Airlines, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the launch of thrice a week flights to Nairobi would boost ongoing marketing efforts by the government and tourism sector to increase the number of Chinese visitors coming to Kenya.

"The entry of China Southern into the Kenyan and African airspace is timely coming against the backdrop of growing economic ties between China and Africa and as seen in the rising number of Chinese visitors," Kandie said during celebrations to mark the launch in Nairobi.

The new service which begun on Wednesday will have a frequency of three flights a week under the airlines own code, giving passengers destined to Guangzhou and beyond added choices.

The airline which in 2014 carried over 100 million passengers will fly to and from Nairobi every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"This will not only significantly boost our efforts to woo visitors from China and the larger Asian market, but also deepen economic ties between Kenya and Africa," Kandie said.

China-African trade ties have grown exponentially over the last six years, with China emerging as the continent's largest trading partner.

Trade volumes between China and Africa are estimated to stand at 228 billion U.S. dollars. Beijing is also a key player in the continent's energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.

The number of Chinese business and leisure travellers to Africa has also risen.

China Southern Airlines Chairman Si Xianmin said as one of the largest carriers in the world, the airline could not ignore Africa as an emerging economic frontier.

"We are keen growing our presence in Africa in line with the expanding trade with China. This is the second route we are launching after Shenzhen-Mauritius. Kenya is strategically located on the African continent," he said.

Kenya Tourism Board's Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said that China has shown a lot of potential as an emerging source market.

"We are delighted by the decision by China Southern to fly to Nairobi. KTB is keen on working closely with the airline to grow the number of Chinese visitors to Kenya," said Ndegwa.

China Southern Airlines has a code share arrangement with Kenya Airways which also flies daily to Guangzhou. Combined, the two airlines will offer 20 flights a week on the Guangzhou-Nairobi route.

Before the maiden flight, the two airlines shared seven routes, allowing each other access to added destinations in China and South Asia for Kenya Airways and beyond Nairobi for China Southern.

Kenya Tourism Board said that a total of 34,923 Chinese guests toured Kenya in 2014.