The Committee on Tourism and Wildlife has urged state agencies and stakeholders to collaborate more effectively in marketing Kenya as a top tourist destination.
Led by Chairperson Hon. Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), members of the committee voiced concerns that Kenya continues to lose potential tourists to competing African destinations with similar attractions.
During separate meetings with CEO’s Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), Tourism Research Institute (TRI), and Kenya Utalii College, the committee emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to increase tourist numbers.
Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Ms June Chepkemei before National Assembly Committee on Tourism on 21/08/2024
“As a committee that oversees and allocates funds to the sector, we want to see the tourism agencies working together with all stakeholders to position Kenya as a top tourism destination,” stated Mbiuki.
He further added, “We cannot continue to push for increased funding for the agencies without seeing tangible results.”
At the separate sessions, the agency heads expressed concerns about inadequate budgetary allocations, which they revealed is impeding and hampering their effectiveness and productivity.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei told the MPs that the MPs that the institution requires an additional budget of Sh 1.4 billion so as to boost tourist numbers from the current 2 million to 3 million by 2025.
The committee urged the board to adopt innovative and creative marketing strategies to enhance Kenya’s visibility in the global tourism market and expand its focus beyond traditional tourism offerings.
“As a board, we recognize the need to innovate and diversify our offerings. We have come up with strategies to boost our tourism that include embracing medical, halal, sports, and cultural tourism. This will can attract more tourist to our country, said Ms Chepkemei who appealed for the committee’s support.
Kenya Utalii College Chief Executive Officer [CEO] Peter Muindi while making his submission before the committee, supported a proposal by the MPs to grant the institution a mandate to certify all tourism and hospitality professionals in the country.
“Making the college a certification institute similar to the Kenya School of Law will not only restore order in the industry but also generate significant income for the institution,” said Muindi.
Earlier, Lamu East lawmaker Ruweida Obbo had advised the board to revamp Kenyatta National Hospital on what she termer rethinking of medical tourism to attract patients from abraod
“You can put tourists attraction facilities and you market KNH because even my people have been traveling to Tanzania for medical attention while we have big hospitals here,” Obbo advised
Obbo told the KTB boss that there is no need of putting another infrastructures at the state owned coastal beaches to attract tourists than just secluding and reserving some rooms only made for tourists only
It was shocking when legislators learnt that most of Kenyan celebs are paid well off to market our neighboring courtiers including artists Esther Akothee who is the Uganda-Kenya tourist ambassador
Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o daughter Lupita Nyong’o is Tanzania’s brand ambassador where the KTB is seeking additional allocation to hire some celebs from African Countries
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