Maasai Mara Marketed through the Internet
The following article about this website appeared in The Business Daily, newspaper on wednesday June 11th 2008. Written by Beatrice Gachenge. If you would like to see the full article it is available on line at the business daily website on the following link:
http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8135&Itemid=5843
The Maasai Mara, the heart of Kenya,s tourism, has been marketed on many platforms. The international media has particularly been on the forefront in advising their audience on the world's tourism hotspots.
But none of these platforms has been as successful as the Internet. Magicalkenya, the official website of the Kenya Tourism Board, has been one such source of information for those planning to visit Kenya.
It was, however, not until 2007 that a local company built a website entirely dedicated to marketing the Mara. This website has depth that not only covers the national reserve and the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, but is also devoted to promoting responsible, sustainable tourism in Kenya.
Mara Online Limited launched the website, www.maasaimara.com, that currently registers more than 30,000 hits per month with the US accounting for 60 per cent of the total.
Kenya follows suit with 10 per cent, with the rest shared among the rest for the world. The beauty of this particular website is its interactivity; from blogs where people can comment about their stay, services and general feel of each individual camp, to lodges or hotels where they can stay.
It also provides detailed information on accommodation, safaris, guides, travel options, maps, fauna and flora, as well as the latest news in the Mara as in the country. The website has information cutting across the board, from top end to budget tourists.
You can enjoy the boundless wilderness and big game of this region, from Sh3,200 to Sh32,000 per person per night, with an array of accommodation tailor-made for your pocket.
Tourists can book through the site. If you intend to visit the Mara, it is an opportune time to book reservation as the wildebeest migration will take place in a few weeks time.
