More tourists planning visits to Africa
Future targets
He used to work for a tourist agency that mainly received European and American guests, but he decided last year to move to a Chinese agency as he considers the Chinese are the future targets of the country's tourism.
"I don't know why some countries have issued travel warnings about my country, which has affected clients' choices. But now we expect more Chinese to fill that gap and even bring more business," he added.
However, he said there are several mysteries about the tourism and natural heritage of Kenya, which has hampered the industry.
"In my opinion, there shouldn't be a peak season or a slow season because wild animals and beautiful landscape are always there — you can see the Africa big five at any time," he said, referring to the most popular animals. "People divide the seasons based on the time of the animal migrations, but, unfortunately, the crossings are also very rare at peak season and the price of accommodations is much more expensive than at other times."
He suggested tourists go to Kenya at any time convenient for them, especially in the slow season, to avoid crowds and overpricing.
Song Shengfeng, a 46-year-old traveler from Hebei province, visited Masai Mara with his family in August and said the country provided them with more than he expected.
"The facilities along the route, especially the hotels and services, were so nice that I even thought we were in Europe," he said. "We were actually prepared for poor conditions, for instance, unhygienic conditions or a lack of water."
Although wealth disparities could be seen along the roads, the general situation of the country was not as poor as they had been informed, he said.
"I think to understand and witness the real Africa requires coming here to touch it, because seeing is believing," he said.
Song and his family were also impressed by the harmony between people and the wildlife.
"Conflicts of living spaces are still there between the Masai people and lions, for instance, but we learned of the sacrifices they have made for nature and the wildlife," he said. "It's admirable and amazing that a national park could be established just next to a town center, and they get along with each other smoothly."
This is a lesson China should learn from Africa for a better living environment and relationship with nature, he added.
According to the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, visitors to Kenya in 2012 decreased from 1.26 million to 1.23 million and revenue shrank by 2 percent to 96 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.09 billion).
The decrease was mainly because of several kidnappings of tourists and pre-general election tensions, according to the ministry.
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