Kenya Airways and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a joint marketing strategy to promote service offerings and guest experience.
Under the agreement, Kenya Airways and Fairmont Kenya will jointly marshal and position the airline as the preferred carrier into Kenya and Fairmont as the accommodation of choice for travellers coming into the country.
“We are combining our resources to focus on areas of synergy where our products and services are distributed as a complete package that targets to satisfy the needs of business and premium leisure travellers in Africa, United States and the United Kingdom,” said Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer, Kenya Airways.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of the luxury brands of Accor Hotels, connects guests to the very best of its destinations worldwide and providing travellers with memorable travel experiences. The partnership with Kenya Airways will give travellers a chance to experience the magic of destination Kenya with a stay at its three iconic properties; Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club and Fairmont Mara Safari Club.
Guillaume Durand, Group Director Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya said: “Each property is uniquely positioned to offer travellers luxury lifestyle experiences whether it’s the vibrancy of the city they crave, the calm of Mount Kenya region or the cultural and adventure allure of the Maasai Mara.
Last month, Kenya Airways launched direct flights to Mauritius and non-stop flights to Cape Town to increase its holiday package and offer guests convenient connections from its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as part of the broad strategy to expand its footprint across Africa.
Coste added that the partnership will enable the two businesses to create a stronger brand affection and increase convenience to customers.
“We recognize that potential customers use a hotel’s status in the decision-making process, which makes branding a more feasible way to attract guests. We are seeking ways to up-sell to current customers by offering improved and tangible products,” he said.
Axel Hauser, General Manager for Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club said that Fairmont Kenya’s membership of leading luxury travel associations will facilitate travel to Kenya by high-end travellers from key feeder markets.
“Fairmont is the only hotel brand with a safari circuit in Kenya recognized as a preferred supplier by Virtuoso and Signature Travel Network – leading networks bringing together the best luxury travel agencies in the world and we are well positioned to attract high net worth travellers seeking luxurious and exclusive hotel experiences combined with authentic destination experiences,” said Axel Hauser.
Kenya Airways is scheduled to begin non-stop flights to New York on 28th October, 2018 making it the first airline to offer non-stop flights between East Africa and the United States of America.
The airline already serves Africa, Europe, Middle-East, Indian sub-continent and Asia. The opening of the US destination completes an essential piece of Kenya Airways’ network, cementing its position as one of the leading African carriers.
Kenya Airways operates in 52 destinations worldwide, 43 of which are in Africa and carries over four million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 32 aircraft being some of the youngest in the continent.