Tourism and Wildlife Ministry to partner with counties in promoting local tourism, CS Miano say

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will partner with counties in reviving tourism in the country, Tourism Cabinet Secretary(CS) Rebecca Miano has said.

The CS who is on a two day working tour of Kilifi and Mombasa counties beginning yesterday and today said the ministry has a target of reaching 5 million tourists by  2027.

The move will involve rigorous marketing and resources mobilisation by all stakeholders to attain the target from the current figure of 2 million.

“We want to work very closely with counties and hoteliers and come up with strategies of reviving the industry.” Miano affirmed.

The CS urged counties to diversify into other areas like marine tourism from regular wildlife safaris, beaches and cuisines.

“When we get more tourists everyone benefits including more job creations for our youths.” The CS added.

The CS said the ministry will showcase Counties potentials in different world exhibitions, she urged them to ready their packages for easy marketing.

“We want to position counties regionally and internationally, hoteliers should also play their roles in positioning tourism where it was before.” She said.

Kilifi governor Gedion Mung’aro said he will bring together coastal counties and come up with a single marketing plan.

The plan will include brochures and materials showcasing to the world places to visit.

“Tourism is coming back to the coast, we just need to put our house in order by revamping old hotels and encourage investors to buy stalled ones.” Governor Mung’aro noted.

Mung’aro said Kilifi was currently experiencing bed shortages adding that the expansion of Malindi airport will be a game changer.

“It’s gratifying to witness initiatives that hold the promise of sustainable tourism in Kenya and particularly so the programmes, both ongoing and in the pipeline in Kilifi county.” She added.

The CS later toured ongoing construction of Utalii college which is set to train thousands of youths in tourism once it is complete.