CS Miano pledges to fast-track strategies to unlock tourism potential

The Cabinet Secretary said her priority will be to accelerate the growth of tourism earnings to support the government's development agenda by seeking a broad consensus with key stakeholders in the spirit of the Bottom-up Economic Model.

Miano said this will be done in a manner to uphold the distribution of benefits accruing from tourism and wildlife conservation more evenly throughout Kenya as she consults with sector players on ways of reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

The Cabinet Secretary was categorical on the need to enhance product diversification that caters to modern tastes and boosts the country’s competitive edge affirming that the Ministry would work closely with all stakeholders to unlock the sector's immense potential for both domestic and international tourism.

“I will seek ways of entrenching a domestic tourism culture as we disabuse the notion that tourism is for visitors from without, i will also encourage the use of modern information technology to rally the travel industry to not only shore up tourist numbers but also create memorable experiences of our diverse attractions,” said Miano.

The Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife, through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), is collaborating with county governments to develop niche tourism circuits, which Miano said will be a game-changer for the sector.

Miano said that her door is open for all sector players as they seek partnerships that will be beneficial to the sector, with a focus on ensuring synergy with the county governments as well as creating an enabling environment for investment in tourism across the country.