Print Preview : Kenya`s tourism finally picking up

Kenya`s tourism finally picking up
After years of difficulties Kenya<.>`s tourism is finally on the way to recovery. The changing scenario is confirmed by Sh22.7 billion earnings, reported last year. Tourist arrivals and bed occupancy, meanwhile, are forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 8 per cent during the next seven years, and earnings at an annual rate of about 8.1 per cent.

These optimistic forecasts represent a sharp turnaround from the declines reported in the late 1990s. Domestic tourism also fluctuated, with bed occupancy rising from 689,300 in 1995 to 782,600 in 1996 before declining to 653,800 in 1999 and thereafter rising to an all-time high of 794,100 in 2000.

The Kenyan government says it is putting in place initiatives to ensure that the projections are reached and promises to invest in the sector`s infrastructure. It also seeks to step up marketing campaigns, personnel training, security and the involvement of communities in tourism development. Under the new plan, the government will increase its funding for tourism promotion activities, although there is no indication of the amount earmarked for the project. The private sector will, however, be requested to pitch in cash.

Just before they left Kenya for Berlin and ITB, the Kenyan delegation heard that the Ministry of Tourism and Information is set to send a proposal for direct funding to the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB<.>). Minister Kalonzo Musyoka said that a proposal will be sent to the parliamentary departmental committee on tourism. The minister noted that it was crucial to stimulate tourism demand as growth of the industry was crucial to the nation`s quest to eradicate poverty. Currently one out of ten jobs in Kenya is in the tourism sector. Vicky Karantzavelou - Wednesday, April 03, 2002