Government outlines plans to improve tourism sector in Kenya

Over Ksh 140 million has been set aside by Kenya Tourism Board for the recovery of the tourism sector through global advertisement campaigns and charter airline promotions. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce has recommended measures that will put the sector back on track and targets to attain a tourism potential of 3 million tourists by 2017 as envisioned in Kenya’s Vision 2030’s second medium term plan.

Speaking today during the launch of online tourism product directory at a Nairobi hotel, the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said that the directory will target local, regional, international travel and tourism providers.

The directory will act as a digital platform to supplement traditional channels of marketing diverse tourism products and services targeting various audiences.

“The tourism product directory will provide an opportunity to easily make contacts and explore partnerships with other listed providers in the tourism sector,” Kandie said.
She noted that the online platform will reach those audiences with quick, up–to- date information and feedback to any queries raised.

This initiative complements their strategy and plans to improve competitiveness and market Kenya as the preferred tourism destination of choice in East Africa and beyond, she added.
Moreover, she is optimistic that through this online medium Counties will have the opportunity to showcase their diverse and unique tourism attractions existing in their regions. This will provide for an additional array of tourism products that go beyond the safari experience and sandy beaches, she said.

“We have partnered with industry players in mapping out recovery plans for this sector as an initiative led by the tourism recovery task force,” she noted. Tourism sector is soon expected to launch a domestic SMS campaign platform that will amount to Ksh 8 million in the upcoming holidays.