Golf: KQ Announces Magical Kenya Open Partnership

National Carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) on Tuesday, March 1 announced its partnership with Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) as the official airline partner during this year’s edition of the Magical Kenya Open Championship that will be taking place at Muthaiga Golf Club from the 3rd to the 6th of March 2022.

Kenya Airways will fly in all the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) officials who will be supervising and managing the tournament as well as KOGL officials who will be travelling later in the year for 2023’s championship preparatory meetings. The airline will also offer discounted rates to professional golfers and enthusiasts from various destinations to participate in the tournament. 

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director Allan Kilavuka stated: “Our in-kind support to the Magical Kenya Open is testament to our long history of supporting sports across the continent and the next generation of talent. We have been working collaboratively with the Government of Kenya and other partners to strategically position Kenya on the global map as a country that can host world-class and elite events.”

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Golf tourism remains a key area of focus for Kenya Airways as a national and global airline. Sports and tourism are intertwined in bringing together people from diverse cultures. As a global brand, Kenya Airways aims to promote sports tourism in Kenya and beyond.

Commenting on this sponsorship, Kenya Golf Open Limited Director, Zuhura Ogada said, “Kenya was named Africa’s best Golf destination during the 2020 World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony, and this is proof of the strides that the country has made in the development of golf over the years. We are cognisant and appreciate the role Kenya Airways is playing to promote golf tourism in Kenya. The Magical Kenya Open Championship is a major boost to Kenya’s Golf Tourism Industry, particularly at a time when the travel industry has been affected so much by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The tournament has attracted close to 156 professionals showcasing topflight international golf while promoting Kenya as a worthy golf tourism destination that has superb golfing courses and favourable weather. 

A report published by Technavio.com, Global Golf Tourism Market 2017-2021 highlights that the global golf tourism market in 2016 totalled a huge $22.92 billion (Sh2.3 trillion) and from their research, this market will total $44.6 billion (Sh4.46 trillion) during the period of 2021-2025.

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