Balala sets up taskforce to revive Tourism

News

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 17:35

By SAMUEL BAYA |

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has appointed a taskforce to help revive the key sector through implementation of a national blueprint.

The Private Sector Tourism Taskforce, comprising stakeholders in the industry, follows meetings held last week in Mombasa and Nairobi respectively.

“The Tourism Taskforce has been given the mandate to implement the National Tourism Blueprint 2030, the Kenya Tourism Agenda for 2018 - 2022 and the Coastal Tourism Transformation Strategy,” the ministry said in a statement today.

The CS together with Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) boss Betty Radier appointed members including Bobby Kamani (Diani Reef Hotel), Mohammed Hersi (Pollmans Tours & Travels), Rakhee Kantaria (Leisure Lodge), Sheema Merali (Neptune Hotels), Alnoor Kanji (English Point Marina), Roberto Marini (Ocean Resort Watamu) and Hasnain Noorani (Pride Inn).

The appointees are expected to assist in providing a framework and strategic direction for both the ministry and KTB. They will also be expected to set policies and identify programmes that will make tourism drive economic development.

"It is true the CS met with several tourism stakeholders where they discussed the national tourism blueprint that was launched in June by Deputy President William Ruto in Nairobi....It has four pillars which include product development, beach strategy, infrastructure and marketing," said Tourism ministry director of public communication Mulei Muia.

Last month, Kenya launched its inaugural direct flight from Nairobi to the US, fanning hope for increased opportunities for the tourism at the coast.

Currently, Kenya records in between 110,000 and 120,000 US visitors every year, making it the second biggest tourism market after Britain.