The Kenyan Embassy has held two tourism forums in Korea ahead of the first chartered flight from Incheon to Nairobi in June.

The tourism forums in Seoul and Busan were attended by officials from Kenya Airways, the Kenya Tourist Board and Korean Air.

Tourism CEOs and managers also attended to discuss current trends in Korean visitors to Kenya, preferred destinations, security for travelers and tour packages. The number of Korean tourists visiting Kenya has risen in recent years to more than 7,300 in 2011.

A Kenya Tourism Board spokesperson said that many international airlines have been launching flights into Nairobi in the last six months, and that the country would further benefit from accessing Korean Air’s hub for other Asian countries such as China and Japan.

Kenya will also be represented at the Yeosu Expo from May 12-Aug. 12, where Korean and other international visitors will learn about Kenya’s cultures, tourist attractions and produce. Kenya is keen to promote aspects such as its 42 tribal cultures, its varied landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos on safari.