Welcome to issue 19 of ELNEWS. We want to take this opportunity to thank all our readers - especially those who recommended ELNEWS to others not in our mailing list. Without you, we could not have reached the 32,430 readers who read our previous issue (Issue 18) and we trust this enthusiasm will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Thank you.

Our showcase this month is the Nairobi National Museum that has just been opened to the public after two years of intensive works to give it a new image. This certainly promises to be a real crowd puller. As always, we continue to innovate so that we can give our site visitors a lasting experience. Our Photo Gallery for instance, is growing and so are our attractions. Have you seen any of our Video Podcasts? You should check them out.

Do you have a product you would want advertised on ELNEWS? Get in touch with our SALES team to book your space for the next issue today. Do you have a story to share with our other readers? Submit it to our editors for review. Click Here.

These are just a few of the new exciting things happening at Enchanted Landscapes^® and we would not want you to be left behind. Keep the feedback coming, continue to recommend this newsletter to friends and keep reading on!

In the advent of social networking services, a host of initiatives have emerged to take advantage of the internet such as FaceBook, Socialight, YouTube, Diggs and so on. Ultimately, these initiatives have created a whole new culture of socialising, advocacy, marketing and public awareness creation. At Enchanted Landscapes^®, we have a system that continues to give us an edge in this industry in that there are very few, serious discussion forums on Kenya that strive to provide a platform for sharing real-life experiences, opinions and research findings with an aim to opening up the country to greater penetration by those interested Kenya as a holiday or business destination. Join our growing list of members as we help shape the future of travel inn this country through our Travelogue. Click here to join: http://www.enchanted-landscapes.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl

Sir Richard Branson, founder and CEO of Virgin hinted that he may soon be setting up a new lodge outside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. He plans to lease land from sorrounding communities to put up a high-end lodge. Unconfirmed estimates value the investment at over a million sterling pounds.

Branson's thoughts behind this idea is that a buy out would cut off the community from future benefits while a lease would guarrantee continued earnings from their land. Branson revealed his investment plan during a recent visit to Sekenani Primary School in Maasai Mara where he opened the school's new boys' and girls' dormitories and a new kitchen area.

The school project was made possible through a collaboration between Sarova Hotels, Water for All and 10 frequent flyer volunteers from Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club. Meanwhile, Virgin has pledged continued sponsorship of the Kenya Rugby Football Union for a second season (08/09 season) which will kick off in Dubai in November 2008 to climax in Scotland in June 2009.

The Malaral Camel Derby is an annual event held in the Northern Region of Kenya, which is sunny, dry and has a favourable climate for these wonderful creatures. It is also a spectacular festival packed with a variety of events that draws visitors from all over the world. The event first took place in 1990 and features entrants from around the world competing against the reigning Kenyan champions in both the amateur and professional races. The route runs through semi-desert regions with varying levels of difficulty and camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete.

In addition to the camel races, the other competitive events include cycling races and donkey rides for children. There is also the chance to see spectacular local dancing displays. The cycle racing is serious business and incorporates an intermediate level competition covering 30 km and an elite, marathon-length race for the hardy.

The Camel Race is recognised not only as a serious international sport and a great tourist attraction but also as a positive way to create awareness of the rapid encroachment in the desertification of Kenya. The aim is also to create interest in better camel husbandry among the people of NE Kenya and to better understand the benefits that camels can bring to these desert inhabitants.

The event is primarily a camping weekend, although there is accommodation available in Maralal lodgings, while the famous Maralal Safari Lodge offers five-star accommodation.

The Nairobi National Musem recently underwent a major facelift that has transformed it into a world class facility and a destination of choice for both local and international visitors.

The museum features a host of rare artifacts, some dating back 18 million years ago and is proving to be an exciting attraction to all.

The newly branded museum now houses three major exhibitions; the parmanent exhibitions include The Hall of Kenya which highlights Kenya's national heritage depicted by the three pillars of nature, culture and history; The Great Hall of Mammals takes the visitor through the evolutionary divergence and convergence of mammals over time; The Cradle of Human Kind discloses teh evolutionary change in hominids laying partucular focus on Kenya and East africa being the cradle of mankind; and the Cycle of Life which samples the life of most Kenyan communities through major milestones and phases.

The museum is a must see. Enchanted Landscapes was there and as usual, brings you a fercinating picture gallery depicting the spectacular work of art that is now the Nairobi National Museum. See the picture gallery here.

The biggest reason you should advertise your business online is that more and more people are turning to the Internet for information and purchasing needs. When you create a website, people will visit it to learn more about your business and the products you are selling.

The second reason you should advertise online is that there are many markets available that are in need of the goods and services you provide. While you don't have to cater to all of these markets in order to see a profit, when you market to those who are in need, you will increase your customer base. Many times these customers will make additional purchases and tell their friends and family about your website. Most people own a computer in their homes these days, so you will be able to reach people looking for specific items that you sell quickly and easily.

Once you've created a strong customer base, you should allow customers to sign up for your emailing list. You will be able to send email advertisements during the year highlighting new products, sales, and other discounts. Increase your sales by prompting customers to make repeat purchases.

The third reason you should consider advertising online is that many of these methods are less expensive than placing an ad in your local newspaper. Methods include creating a blog, submitting articles that pertain to your business to online article databases, submitting press releases, joining marketing groups, and participating in open forum discussion groups online (Check out our Travelogue). Each of these methods will require you to put in some time each day, but the pay off can be huge. Take advantage of free marketing opportunities as they come up and you will see an increase in sales and in return customers.

Kenya is made up of over 40 different tribes. This rich cultural diversity makes us a unique people who have become a subjet of much debate - how can people with such varying diversity co-exist so well? Here we take you through a journey of discovery to allow you sample a few insights of this cultural diversity:

Re-define the way you do business today by letting us handle your on-line advertising needs and let us together market this nation as a one-stop tourist holiday destination.