Travel

The rise to prominence of the Tusker Safaris sevens rugby tournament has been gradual but has surpassed all expectations. Attracting the best teams in rugby world wide, the tournament held in March is now in the world championship series and is extremely competitive. The event has become an integral part of a series of events that is stirring sports tourism in Kenya.

The virgin Atlantic sponsored Kenya team has been making a good account of itself. Unlike their 15 a side counterparts who have not quite made it to the big league, the 7s a side have been posing a major threat to traditional rugby power houses like England, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, France and New Zealand.

Kenya is no longer an under dog in the 7s and it always threatens to dethrone opponents. The 7s has in the last few years gained so much popularity that all its matches are played with house full stands. Kenyan rugby fans are known to be amongst the most committed fans in any sport in Kenya.

But it is the worth of business generated by this tournament that is making hoteliers and tour operators yearn for more sports tourism in Kenya. With over 15 teams participating, most of them foreign, arrangements of transport and accommodation is lucrative business. Some tourists are now requesting their trips to concide with the tournament so as to enjoy the action packed extravaganza.

Sports officials who accompany the teams often take time to tour the tourist hot spots available in the country. Regionally, the safari seven is proving to be a popular crowd puller, with people travelling from the neighboring countries to watch the event.

In the last few years, sports tourism has been been gaining popularity with various disciplines holding international tournaments. Over the years, the only sports that attracted international participants were motor sports, with the famous safari rally gaining international acclaim since its inception in the 1950s.

But its withdrawal from the world championship series in the mid 1990s was a big blow to the sport. That has changed in the last couple of years though, with the introduction of the classic safari, an east African event that only allows vehicles manufactured in the 1970s. For most drivers, the event is a fun filled tour of east Africa, that relives memories of the same drivers during their competitive age in earlier years.

In rugby, a string of positive results against rugby powerhouses has seen the Kenya team climb up in rank to fifth in the world. This has ensured that the team remains in the series of the world tour, building up on its fast growing number of adoring fans worldwide. In the process, money has not been scarce with the team attracting sponsorship from East Africa’s biggest beer producers EABL and virgin Atlantic airlines.

With Kenyan economic gains set to continue with the formation of the new government coalition, the rise of sports tourism in Kenya is likely to become more prominent and is sure to include many more disciplines. Water sports, golf, rallying and even football are the likely disciplines likely to see an increase in visitors in the next few years.

James G. Kamweru is a tour operator and has been organizing and reporting on Vacation, Travel and Tours for years. For More Information Visit his site at Sports Tourism I Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Comments Kenya Travel On My Blog Here Sports Tourism

The contour pillow is for lumbar support when you travel. You place it against the seat where your lower back would sit and when you travel you won’t end up with the lower back pain that can sometimes hit you hard on long trips.

Some contour pillows are made of 100% polypropylene, and some other contour pillow travel aids are made of memory foam and down feathers and other materials that are available. If you have allergies, the polypropylene contour pillow travel aid may be the best bet for you. If you want a contour pillow for your neck, the foam pillows seem to give the best neck support. Feather travel pillows are typically mini pillows to rest your head on. There are many different options in contour pillow travel aids.

When you travel it is important that you travel in comfort. This is true whether you are taking a flight or traveling by bus, train or car. The reason you want to be comfortable during your travel is because you don’t want to be uncomfortable and stiff when you arrive at your destination. For many people it can take more than a day or two to loosen back up after getting a stiff neck or back from an uncomfortable trip. This is where contour pillow travel aids are essential.

If you shop for a contour pillow travel aid at your local discount department store you may find one or two available for purchase. They don’t typically have a lot of options. Look in both the pillow section and the health and beauty section. If it is the holiday shopping season, you might find them displayed in center aisles because contour pillow travel aids make great holiday gifts for travelers.

You will find a much greater selection if you shop online for a contour pillow travel aid. The internet is such a convenient way to shop because if you don’t find what you need at one store, you can go to another with just the click of your mouse.

She is a marketing executive for global consumer brands, media, and high tech businesses. She loves writing about shopping, product reviews, fashion, travel, green innovation, arts & entertainment. She spots consumer trends, explores and assembles ideas, and provides creative solutions to business challenges. Currently, she writes for IMshopping.com