Uber has launched a new service in Kenya known as Uber safari. This is a move towards attracting Kenyan Tourism market. Uber intends to make an earning of $4 billion from the tourism market annually. This service is available now in Nairobi and allows people to book over Uber App the trip to Nairobi National Park. Uber is therefore tapping beyond the rides and food delivery services to lucrative and productive tourism market. The tourism market adds up to 10% of Kenya’s domestic product and over 5% of formal employment.
It is offering three hours for the night and three hours during the day therefor targeting the international visitors with limited time, domestic tourists seeking convenience and business travelers in Nairobi who don’t want to waste the whole day in the park. It has collaborated with other service providers like licensed Safari Operators and local fleet partners to provide rides and ensure professional guides throughout the tour.
Uber Safari services offer competitive prices and convenient prices where in daytime they charge KES 25,000 for groups of upto 7 passengers and at night they charge KES 40,000 for group of up to 5 people. Bookings should be done with a notice of at least two days for the day tours and five days notice for the night tour. These fees cover ride, guiding services, pick up and drop off but does not cover the park entry fees. It is also working with government closely to ensure compliance with regulations, strengthen tourism in Kenya and support conservation.
The new service therefore represents a bold attempt to venture in Kenyan economic and cultural background in Tourism which is one of the economic backbone in Kenya. The success of this service could boost local incomes, position Kenya in a better Tourist satisfaction position and could place Uber in a good economic position by increasing its earnings. However, failure in this project will cause criticism over pricing methods, conservation methods and displacement of existing tours operators. Its operations in Safari has signified the blend in technology, tourism and conservation ways that could help reshape Kenyan’s tourism economy for years to come.
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