DOMESTIC TOURISM PLAYERS HAIL PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Stakeholders in the domestic tourism sub-sector have added their voice in commending President Uhuru Kenyatta for urging Kenyans to travel a lot more around the country to boost tourism.

“The negative travel advisories and evacuation of foreign travellers by their respective governments only worsened an already deteriorating situation. It was yet another stark reminder that we cannot continue to rely on foreign travellers for tourism earnings. That aspect of tourism is increasingly becoming erratic,’’ Anastancia Wakesho, National Chairperson of Domestic Tourism Association (DTA) said.

Wakesho said as stakeholders they are keen to emphasise on the need for the Government to institute strong policies that will safeguard the interest of local tour operators in developing and growing the domestic tourism.

Capacity constraints

Wakesho reiterated that domestic tourism players are eager to work with the Government and appeal to the President to revive Domestic Tourism Council of Kenya. “This is not a new body as the same existed in the 80’s but was shelved for reasons not known but was again revived between 2006-2008 and did a very good job,” she said.

She explains that in 2007, a five-year strategic plan was done that cost taxpayers Sh2 million but was never implemented as it was shelved again and its mandate shifted to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

“Instead of reinventing the wheel, the strategic plan can be polished and applied now. If that plan could have been implemented then, it could have stimulated domestic tourism from 20 per cent to 50 per cent. Now that the domestic growth is about 40 per cent according to KTB, this growth could shoot to 70 per cent,” she said.

Separately, Kenya Utalii College Principal, Dr Kenneth Ombongi said Uhuru’s gesture towards trying to revive tourism fortunes has demonstrated his readiness to help the tourism sector.

“The raft of changes announced last Friday will not only help tourism but enhance job prospects for Kenyan youths,’’ Dr Ombongi, who is also the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Africa region Vice President said.