Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya’s world marathon holder is the new tourism ambassador for Kenya.
On Thursday, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO Dr Betty Raider said Kenya’s sporting glory is key in marketing the country’s tourism offerings.
As such, she added, the board settled on Kipchoge who is a household name across the globe, thanks to his marathon record the recent one being INEOS challenge held on October 12, 2019, where he set a new record of running a marathon in 1:59:40.
“Kenya is well known as the home of champions hence sports form part of our strategy to popularise the country’s tourism offering.
“As a board, we have invested in locally hosted sporting events like the Magical Kenya Open, the World Rally Championship and World Athletics Championships, among others through sponsorship. Now we turn our attention to events held on the global stage that Kenyans excel in and there is no better collaboration than with Kenya’s marathoners,” stated Dr Radier in a statement.
Kipchoge moments after described being a Kenyan “as beautiful” adding that he is ready to take up the job and people Kenyan a top tourism destination.
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“Being Kenyan is a very beautiful thing. I am passionate and love my country dearly, and it is an honour to be working with KTB on projects geared towards propelling Kenya as a preferred tourist destination globally. Kenya has a lot to offer,” Kipchoge heartily remarked.
With the INEOS challenge, Kipchoge became the world’s greatest marathoner to have ever lived. His tagline “no human is limited” has served as an inspiration for scores not just in Kenya but across the whole world.
Since the start of his career in athleticism, he has bagged 12 victories out of 13. He still holds the world marathon champion title after a record of 2:01:39.
His new position comes in the steps of a spirited campaign by the Tourism Ministry led by Najib Balala to bring back the country’s tourism to where it was before COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenya has announced reduced park entry fees through to June 2020 as a way to encourage more tourist to visit the parks even as COVID-19 pandemic continues.