In the first months of 2008, Kenya's travel industry was hit by political turmoil; however, one specialist African tour operator is now looking to change the fortunes of Kenya with a campaign that spans both the virtual and the real world.
Acacia Adventure Holidays is launching Crazy About Kenya, a new Facebook campaign, destined to get people talking about the famed wildlife capital of Africa. The project, however, shows there's much more to Kenya than the Big Five, as the tour operator is hooking up with the M2 Art Studio in Nairobi, which features among others, Solo 7, his “paint for peace” slogans already catching the attention of International media. Also featured will be T-skweyad, a Hip Hop collective, including Francis X Kamotho, producer at Kenya based BOMA Records; and DJ Wave, a member of the Nairobi-based Hip Hop band, Paramedikz.
Artwork and music have been volunteered for the campaign, which hopes to generate a positive vibe for Kenya through online communities and in the real world. Facebook members will be able to spread the word using highly stylised artwork featuring graffiti and more traditional images, all inspired by real life in Africa. Virtual stickers displaying the strap line Crazy About Kenya, (accessible from the Acacia Adventure Holidays and Crazy About Kenya Facebook page) will be available to download onto members' Facebook profiles, allowing them to show their support for the destination. Hip Hop sounds will also bring the page to life, as the latest tracks from the tour operator's partners are to be posted in the online community.
Moving the project out of the virtual sphere, the company will be spinning the decks out on tour, with recent albums from some of their Kenyan Hip Hop partners carried on many of their overland itineraries. In June 2008, as the tour operator's trucks cross the border into Kenya, adventurers will have the chance to hear the latest sounds direct from the streets of Nairobi; and since the musical genre has its roots in Africa it will certainly connect travellers with the destination.
The tour operator is also in talks with T-skweyad in the hope of adding dates for Hip Hop events, held at the British Council in Nairobi, to their scheduled tours. However, until the party plans are finalised adventurers can enjoy the capital's vibes on the mathrees (local buses), which can often be found pumping out Kenyan and International Hip Hop sounds. As much a visual attraction as they are a music lover's dream, some even feature 50” LCD screens broadcasting the latest videos and expressive graffiti artwork associated with the popular music genre.
The travel operator reinstated its Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha itineraries in April after the FCO advisories were lifted, “but the destination still needs our support,” says Kate Plummer, Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator for the specialist African operator. “While reduced fares from airlines and discounted trips are all helpful, they will never really make up the margin, in terms of the recent losses, so with the help of our Kenyan partners we are creating a positive vibe. Facebook is an ideal mechanism to engage travellers, as the virtual world has no borders, allowing members to hook up with some of the artists and musicians working with us online. Essentially, Crazy About Kenya is about giving the Kenyan people a voice - in real time, and on a platform that will last for far longer than a media blitz.”
This makes the project a unique departure from most forms of responsible tourism as people can choose to connect and share interests with the Kenyan artists and Hip Hop producers on an individual rather than tour operator led basis - an approach that might even ask people to question whether ethical travel starts on the holiday or in virtual communities.
Plummer continues: “What happened in Kenya in the first few months of 2008 was unthinkable, but the people are resilient and thinking of the future. It's time to focus on the positive side (and vibe) of this exciting destination and push our campaign to show that Kenya is alive and kicking!”
Telephone Acacia Adventure Holidays on 020 7706 4700, email or visit http://www.acacia-africa.com. ATOL No.6499 and ABTA No.W4093 PROTECTED. All prices are subject to availability.
