Roundup: Kenya unveils strategies to revive tourism sector

The Kenyan government and tourism stakeholders on Thursday outlined new strategies that will be implemented in phases to revive the tourism sector that had previously experienced a slump occasioned by insecurity and negative travel advisories.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Najib Balala told journalists in Nairobi that the government and private sector had agreed on a raft of new measures to revive a sector that contributes 14 percent to Kenya's GDP.

"We intend to build strong public private partnerships and engage in regular consultations to boost growth of the tourism sector," Balala said after holding a consultative meeting with tourism stakeholders in Nairobi.

The inaugural consultative forum between the government and private sector discussed new incentives that would spur revival of tourism sector.

Balala said the government will partner with industry players to implement a raft of measures like security, infrastructure, social amenities and tax rebates in order to revive tourism.

"The government on its part will invest in infrastructure and improve security to encourage investments in the tourism sector. We have developed a ten-year tourism recovery strategy that will be implemented in phases," said Balala.

Tourism is the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue for Kenya after tea, with the main tourist attractions being photo safaris through national parks and game reserves, though the country has been diversifying to other areas like eco-tourism, conference tourism and cultural tourism.

Balala noted that the recent promotional tours to traditional source markets undertaken by President Uhuru Kenyatta have started paying off.

"While in Europe last month, President Kenyatta reiterated that Kenya is a safe destination for foreign visitors thanks to improved security," Balala said, adding that Kenya expects more tourists from western and central Europe this summer.

Kenya earned 870 million dollars from tourism last year and the government anticipates a 20 to 30 percent increase in tourism earnings this year.

Balala said recovery of tourism sector will be sustained this year as the government intensifies the war against terrorism that had dented the image of the country as an ideal destination.

"Besides improving security, we are also working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to ward off Yellow Fever that could scare potential visitors," Balala said.

He added the government will address private sector concerns such as exorbitant taxes and a cumbersome licensing regime to promote investments in the tourism industry.

The government will roll out a fund to support refurbishment of existing hotels alongside capacity development in a bid to hasten revival of the tourism industry.

Balala said issuance of electronic visa, duty exemptions on tour operators alongside licensing of additional airlines to operate in the Kenyan skies will boost tourist arrivals in the country. Endit