Kenya is targeting 15,000 tourist arrivals from China by using a 30-series TV soap opera in a new marketing campaign that focuses on the east Asian market.

Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) Managing Director Ongong'a Achieng said Thursday 5,000 Chinese visitors came to Kenya in 2004 and they intended to triple the figure this year.

He added they were sure of achieving the target, since Kenya was granted the preferred tourist destination status by China in March last year.

He said a cast of 50 Chinese who visited Kenya last year carried out a production shoot of the drama "The Last Breakthrough," and the producers are planning to air the series to 100 million southern Chinese audiences, publicizing Kenyan culture and tourist attractions.

The KTB, the Ministry of Tourism and Information and Kenya Airways are partners of the venture.

"The Last Breakthrough will hit east Asian television screens in the near future and will air for one hour every evening during prime time for six weeks," said Achieng.

The series will run on a story line of dedicated Chinese medical volunteers spreading goodwill and saving lives in the developing world.

Achieng said he expected the series to raise Kenya's publicity in the east Asian region, and boost the profile of the country as a preferred tourist destination.