Best way to market/promote a family friendly alcohol free camp in Kenya?

[Oasis Adventures and Camps Ltd]

I run a small family friendly alcohol free camp on the shores of Lake Elementaita Kenya. How can I market/promote my services to increase my sales?

 

http://www.oasis.co.ke/eco.html

[Tony Humphrey]

You can get 'no cost' advtg, mktg, promo and direct links to your website if you can offer direct booking discounts or special deals to members of www.TheTopTravelClub.com    full info onsite.... and you will even be offered a free membership for your own savings on travel and shopping in over 100 countries.

[Oasis Adventures and Camps Ltd]

Hi Tony, Will check the website and list on it.

Thanks

[Jacquie Whitt]

Well, this is a good question.  We all ask this question about our businesses.  I took a peak at your website because I had no idea where you are located and what might be there. 

We all know about Mt Kiliminjaro and many people want to hike.  We all know about the famous archaeologist, Richard Leakey (at least those of us with degrees in Anthropology who have studied Leakey!) 

I would try to make it easy for people to know why they should come there.  I would try to show your proximity to other well-known destinations that are nearby. I'm not sure if I would come to Kenya just to go to your camp.  It's a long way to travel for many people. But I might come there after I visit waterfalls or hiked Kili. 

I would start by answering these questions:

Do people know where we are?

Do people know how to get here and how long it takes?

Are we close to other well-known destinations?

 

Secondly, I would seek connections with groups who are likely to be interested in family-friendly, alcohol-free camp experiences in a foreign country.  It sounds perfect for philanthropic or church organizations.  There is one thing I would add to make it more inviting for these groups.  Service projects based on local needs.  This could include teaching English, building gardens, homes or special projects based on your unique location. 

Another idea is to become a destination for science teachers.  What about using the ecology of the Lake as a teaching/science lab?  The link on your website took me to Wikipedia, which touched on the how the Flamingo population was affected by the introduction of tilapia in 1962.

How far are you from the Leakey excavations?  (My bucket list includes a visit to the Rift Valley)   Is this a potential opportunity to explore the heartland of the origins of human species?  All the Australopithecines (I've waited 25 years to use that word in a sentence!)  (hominid ancestors) originated in east Africa. Teachers might be interested in bringing students to find out more about the Great Rift Valley and stay at your camp. 

Now that you've identified areas that might be valuable, how do you tell people?  I start conversations:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Church/School Newsletters
• Educational websites
• Birdwatching websites
• Tripatini
• Post photos (lots of photos of people doing stuff at your camp or on Mt. Kili!)
• Join a consortium of African tour operators who are promoting different activities in different destinations.

 

If anyone comes up with other good ideas, I'll be paying attention too, because truly I don't have the answers, I just keep trying new things to see what works.

Best of luck to you.  Hey, if any of these ideas work, let me know!

[Oasis Adventures and Camps Ltd]

Jacquie

Thanks for your very comprehensive ideas. I will surely try them and keep you posted.

[Newton Nyambati]

Create a website, that's the best way to appeal to international clientelle. Locally you can lias with tour operators. Offer them special rates for customers they bring to you, that way they have an incentive to bring people to your camp

[Oasis Adventures and Camps Ltd]

Thanks Newton. Ive a website www.oasis.co.ke. Ive tried working with agents locally but a good number are scared by our no alcohol policy.

[EnLinea Media]

Inspired by this thread, the site has just established a new forum called Vacations Without Alcohol, which we hope can serve as a resource and help you and other vendors and consumers interested in this segment of the market. Good luck!