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Obamania! 

PRESIDENT-ELECT Barack Obama has triggered an incredible surge in “roots” tourism.

Trips are being booked to Indonesia, Kenya, Japan and the United States, reveals World Travel Market’s Media Bulletin at ExCeL London. 

“His victory has rebounded around the globe to create such excited reaction that it is being used as a visitor attraction tool,” says Fiona Jeffery, World Travel Market chairman. 

Chicago expects the biggest bounce in tourists because of his close political and family connection and some are calling it the Obaboom.

The city visitor authorities already advise travellers to “experience the city the Obamas enjoy.”

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism is planning three-day getaways featuring Obama sites, including the Hyde Park area where he lives. It hopes to have the package available from January 20, when Obama will be sworn in.

Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, has received a steady number of visitors since Obama’s nomination as the Democrats’ presidential candidate last August. Curiosity sites are the school he attended and the small art-deco style house where Obama, his mother and her second husband stayed 1970-72. 

Kenya is displaying giant picture of the future USA president at World Travel Market and distributed Obama pins. 

UK tour operator Somak Holidays, a specialist for Africa, already has five tours taking travellers to visit Kogelo, the area of Obama’s family roots in western Kenya. 

And, yes, there is a place named Obama …in Japan! 

The port city, 400km west of Tokyo with a population of only 32,000, has experienced a growing interest from Japanese travellers. 

According to Japan’s visitor promotion office in London, the Obama-hype has prompted Obama city to produce souvenirs such as T-shirts and chopsticks. Before the election, UK tour operator Inside Japan Tours organised a nine-day tour including two nights in Obama for the election night on November 6.