Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is leveraging the 2025 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) to position the country as a premier golf and travel destination, capitalising on global exposure from the European tour event.

With the tournament set to tee off today at Muthaiga Golf Club, KTB has rolled out an immersive tourism experience for international participants, including a safari at Nairobi National Park.

Among the players who took part in the excursion was American golfer Brandon Wu, who described the visit as “unforgettable”.

“This has been an amazing experience, especially in the morning with the amazing sunrise. The beauty, the calmness of the trees and landscapes, and the sight of animals in their natural habitat made it so special,” Wu said. “Seeing lions up close and watching giraffes and zebras crossing the road right in front of us was an incredible moment I’ll never forget. I feel so excited and blessed to be in Kenya to play golf in Kenya. This is my first time in Africa, and just being here is an amazing experience.”

KTB CEO June Chepkemei emphasised the importance of integrating sports and tourism, stating that international golf events offer Kenya a platform to market its rich landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage to a global audience.

“We are keen to capitalize on this growing popularity by leveraging the Magical Kenya Open,” Chepkemei noted.

“Immersing our guests, especially those that have an international appeal in the allure of Kenya’s tourism experiences is key to cultivating lasting impressions.”

With a prize purse of $2.5 million (approximately Sh322.5 million), this year’s tournament has attracted over 150 players from 30 countries, including defending champion Darius Van Driel (Netherlands), Johannes Veerman (USA) and Ángel Hidalgo (Spain).

Kenya’s contingent features 13 professionals, led by seasoned golfers Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow.

Chepkemei reiterated KTB’s commitment to strengthening partnerships between tourism and sports stakeholders to ensure long-term economic benefits.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Sports and other partners to optimise synergies and ensure that these sporting events have a lasting impact on the tourism landscape,” she said.

The Magical Kenya Open is expected to not only showcase Kenya as a top-tier golf destination but also attract a share of the lucrative global sports tourism market, which consists of approximately 9.1 million travellers, 10 per cent of whom are traveling golfers.