Fresh plan to double tourist arrivals by 2017

PHOTO | DIANA NGILA President Kenyatta with various Cabinet Secretaries and other leaders at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• President Uhuru Kenyatta said the government plans to increase budget allocation to increase tourist arrivals
• Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the plan is to tap to meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions tourism

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Tourism will have to diversify its offering from the beach and bush package if it is to double tourist arrivals by 2017.

Speaking at the official opening of the third Magical Kenya Travel Expo on Friday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the plan is to tap to meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions tourism.

“We have just released a five-year national tourism strategic in which we intend to place a strong emphasis on investments in conference and convention tourism.” The plan seeks to embrace and retain traditional markets but scout for opportunities in emerging markets.

Speaking at the same event, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the government plans to increase budget allocation to increase tourist arrivals. Kenya receives 1.5 million tourists annually. “We have committed to promote Kenya as a destination, rather than stop-over, and to attract at least three million tourists annually,” he said.

Mr Kenyatta added: “Tourism generates around 12 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and accounts for about nine per cent of the country’s total formal employment,” said .

Kenya Tourism Board managing director Muriithi Ndegwa said this years’ expo also focuses on seminars that are aimed at creating updates on trends in tourism in terms of sustainability.

Mr Ndegwa said since Africa has been recognized as the second frontier in investments and tourism presents a need to live up to those expectations.

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