THE Kenya Tourism Board is stepping up efforts to encourage more locals to consider domestic tourism as arrivals from major international markets reduce.

KTB managing director Murithi Ndegwa said that with the economic crisis affecting source markets such as Europe, energy is being re-focussed to the contribution of domestic tourism.

Ndegwa said the board will in the next one week launch a massive campaign to encourage domestic tourists to book holidays in the December season.

"Last year, we recorded a 37 per cent bed occupancy from domestic tourists up from 33 per cent in the past couple of years," said Ndegwa during the launch of campaign dubbed Talii na Uchumi through which the supermarket customers will win holiday packages to various hotels in the country.

The Christmas promotion will run from November 19 to January 20 and will see Uchumi customers winning among others assorted hotel packages, meal vouchers at sponsor hotels, fridges, shopping vouchers, free annual shopping and school fees.

Ndegwa however cautioned over the impact of rising insecurity in the coast and parts of northern Kenya noting that these have resulted into a general decline.

However, North Rift and Western tourism circuits are recording improved performance, Ndegwa said. In addition, the introduction of Kenya Airways daily flights to Eldoret as well as the opening of Kisumu Airport is likely to boost domestic tourism and international arrivals.