The 5th annual Convention of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 24 to 27, 2023, marking a return after a hiatus of four years. With over 150 participants, the convention set the stage for future collaborations geared toward business-driven growth between India and Kenya.
– Prativa Vaidya Bhalla
The announcement of the OTOAI convention generated considerable interest, especially due to the intriguing choice of the destination. As it turned out, not only was the destination a perfect choice, but the exceptional care extended by hospitality partner Sarova Hotels was indeed unparalleled. The event took place at Sarova Stanley, a cutting-edge venue in Nairobi. One Above was responsible for the ground handling and pulled off the event with panache.
The Phenomenal Destination
The OTOAI convention took the delegates to stunning locations such as the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, and Shaba National Park, where they experienced the true bounty and essence of Kenya. It was an excellent introduction to the country’s tourism potential. Commenting on the choice of the destination, Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “The immersive experience offered by Kenya’s rich cultural tapestry, picturesque scenery, and renowned wildlife set an ideal stage for the event. The country’s accessible and well-connected infrastructure ensured smooth logistics, and its international allure added a global dimension to the convention. In essence, the harmonious blend of culture, infrastructure, and international appeal made Kenya a compelling choice for hosting the globally resonant event.”
Significance of AI
Along with the smoothly organised pre and post-FAMs, official opening, well-laid-out entertainment, and gourmet cuisines, the knowledge sessions encompassing wildlife, luxury, and beach experiences were brilliant. Shravan Bhalla, Vice President, OTOAI and Convention Chairman, highlighted the key insights of the convention theme “Smart Tourism, the Role of AI & Chat GPT,” which has the potential to revolutionise the travel industry. He said, “The sessions were highly acclaimed by our members, who undoubtedly understood how to design and present products in a much more professional way by adding key insights to the destination with the help of ChatGPT. In recent times, ChatGPT has emerged as a powerful tool in customer engagement and support, and its ability to understand and generate human-like text makes it an invaluable asset in streamlining communication processes within the travel trade. From answering customer inquiries to providing personalised recommendations, ChatGPT brings efficiency to customer interactions, and automated responses facilitate quicker resolution of queries.”
Transformative FAM
Addressing the relevance and impact of Familiarisation Trips in fostering growth and advancing tourism, Siddharth Khanna, General Secretary, OTOAI, said, “OTOAI always strives to pick a new destination, which is unexplored and has the potential for great outbound tourism from India.” He further explained, “Visiting Nakuru, Masai Mara, Shaba, and Mount Kenya with our host Sarova and experiencing the thrill of game drives in the open bush with 4×4 jeeps is an experience of a lifetime. Each game drive is thrillingly unique, and one may be lucky to see a chase or even a kill during the drives. These experiences simply cannot be put into words; they have to be experienced first-hand, which in return enhances the knowledge of every participating delegate to sell Kenya and the safari experience with confidence and assurance.”
Beyond The Savannah
The question arises, beyond the famed wildlife parks and safaris, are there undiscovered leisure and luxury destinations for discerning Indian travellers? Himanshu Patil, Executive Committee Member adroitly answered, “Kenya offers Indian tourists’ diverse leisure and luxury options beyond wildlife tourism. Explore the pristine beaches of Diani and Watamu while immersing in Swahili culture, enjoy serene lakeside escapes at Naivasha and Elementaita luxury lodges, or discover Swahili architecture on Lamu Island. The Great Rift Valley beckons with adventure, from hot air balloon safaris to hiking Mount Longonot. Culinary tourism offers diverse flavours; spa retreats add a touch of luxury, and community-based tourism offers authentic cultural experiences.”
Promoting Kenya as a Premier Destination
Irshad Dadan, Director and Group COO, One Above, laid out strategic plans for packaging and promoting Kenya, especially for the Indian market. Irshad stated, “At One Above and Sarova Hotels, we aim to market Kenya to the Indian travel trade vigorously. We recognise India’s potential and aim to provide a comprehensive view of what Kenya offers across various travel segments, including MICE. Notably, we emphasise showcasing Kenya’s city nightlife, ensuring that the trade recognises the diverse experiences beyond wildlife that the country offers. We are committed to going beyond the conventional. Through our initiatives, we ensure they recognise and promote Kenya as a destination that offers a blend of natural wonders and vibrant urban experiences.”
Adding on, Riaz said, “OTOAI’s plans to position Kenya as a premier destination encompasses a comprehensive strategy, which includes launching targeted marketing campaigns to highlight Kenya’s unique attractions, forming collaborations with key players in the travel industry to create appealing packages, fostering cultural exchanges between Kenya and India, while positioning the destination as one of the best choices for experiential travellers.”
Unlocking Opportunities
India serves as a pivotal source market for Kenya, presenting significant prospects for further business-driven growth. Monia Kapoor, Joint Secretary and OTOAI and Convention Co-Chairman, explains why Kenya represents such a compelling value-for-money destination for Indian travellers. She stated,” A combination of thrilling wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, stunning landscapes, affordable accommodation, and ease of travel makes Kenya an ideal choice for a memorable and budget-friendly adventure. With a range of accommodation options, from comfortable guesthouses to well-appointed mid-range hotels and luxury resorts, there are choices to suit every budget. This allows Indian travellers to enjoy their stay without compromising on comfort or overspending.” She further emphasises, “With Air India and Kenyan Airlines’ regular flights connecting major Indian cities to key destinations, getting to Kenya is not only convenient but also economical, and the visa process is also straightforward.”
Farewell Reflections
As participants bid adieu, expressing gratitude to their gracious hosts and Kenyan counterparts, Shravan pointed out, “Major highlights of the convention were the unique theme and discussion on AI & Chat GPT, and the healthy business relationships formed between Indian agents with their Kenyan counterparts. Showcasing the beauty of Lake Nakuru, Shaba Shaba, and Masai Mara with outstanding dinner locations during FAMS was the icing on the cake.”
Mita Vohra, Director, Sarova Hotels, stating the reason behind the collaboration with OTOAI, said, “The connection to OTOAI came through One Above, to be the hospitality partner. Sarova has been very focused on the Indian market for years. Heena Munshaw established our entry into the market in 1994, and we have never looked back. Our number for India grew steadily and significantly over 2022 and 2023, and involving ourselves with key players in India, such as OTOAI, was a very exciting prospect.”
Mita further appreciated the appropriate theme, amazing speeches, and insights into AI. She added, “We received wonderful responses from all the agents and media vis-a-vis Kenya. Finally, the feedback on our product, quality, service, food and hospitality was overwhelming, and the wonderful friendships formed, I believe, will be longstanding.”
 took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 24 to 27, 2023, marking a return after a hiatus of four years. With over 150 participants, the convention set the stage for future collaborations geared toward business-driven growth between India and Kenya.){kind=link}