KENYA: International Tourist Arrivals To Shoot Upwards

Kenya’s international tourists arrivals are projected to jump by about five percent in 2019, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, told journalists in Nairobi that the tourism sector will not experience the 37 percent year on year growth witnessed in 2018 due to a number of challenges.

We are projecting only a slight growth in the number of international arrivals by the end of 2019 fueled by intensified marketing efforts in key source markets, Balala said during the launch of the partnership between Express Travel Group and Travel Leaders Group to form Travel Leaders Kenya.

Balala noted that in 2018 Kenya experienced a rate of growth of the tourism sector that is faster than the global average of 3.9 percent and the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.3 percent.

This makes Kenya the third largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria, both of which grew substantially less than Kenya in 2018, he added.

Kenya’s international tourists arrivals stood at 2.03 million in 2018.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has set a target of attracting 2.5 million international tourists annually by the end of 2024 and 3 million by 2030.

According to Balala, Kenya is a long haul destination for international travelers in the main tourist source countries in Europe and North America.

As such we cannot achieve in the short term high tourists number like Egypt and Morocco that are close to Europe, he added.

Kenya Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway promoting beach tourism.

Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is promoting beach tourism along the Indian Ocean shores, a senior government said on Wednesday.

Najib Balala, cabinet secretary, ministry of tourism and wildlife told journalists in Nairobi that the Mombasa to Nairobi railway line has reduced the cost of travel to the port of Mombasa.

Since the completion of the SGR, we have seen a surge of local and international tourists visiting the coastal beach of Mombasa, Balala said during the launch of the partnership between Express Travel Group and Travel Leaders Group to form Travel Leaders Kenya.

Balala revealed that the SGR has increased the travel options for visitors seeking to tour the coastal region.

Previously tourists had to contend with high cost of air travel or the unreliable road transport network, he added.

The 480 km SGR line built by Chinese from Nairobi to Mombasa was launched in 2017 while the construction of the 120 km Nairobi to Naivasha section which is also funded by the Chinese is almost complete.

Balala said that once the SGR is complete, it will open up the western tourism circuit which is largely unexploited due to high cost of transport and lack of public awareness of the rich cultural heritage in the region.

Through the use of SGR, we hope to expand the tourism sector by making all parts of the country accessible to both domestic and foreign tourists, he added.

The government official noted that Kenya’s main tourism products are the beach tourism and the safari product which largely attract high-end clientele.

Kenya plans to promote the green tourism sector in order to enhance its sustainability, the tourism regulator said on Thursday.

Kipkorir Lagat, director general of Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), told a forum in Nairobi that tourism is a very fragile industry that depends on nature to provide services to its clients.

We will work closely with tourism stakeholders to enable the sector adopt measures to conserve natural resources and reduce their green house gas emissions, Lagat said during the stakeholders forum of the retail industry and the Tourism Fund.

He said that the government already offers tax incentives for hotels that have green buildings and use renewable sources of energy.

Solar equipment for heating is also exempt from Value Added Tax, he said.

TRA noted that environmental sustainability is now a key pillar of the tourism sector given the growing number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the country.

Government data indicates that approximately 2 million visitors entered Kenya in 2018, up from 1.4 million the previous year.

Lagat added that Kenya also hopes to cash in on the growing number of tourists who seek eco-friendly destinations.

Last week, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on single use plastics in national parks and beaches beginning in June 2020.

The tourism regulator noted that environmentally friendly policies such as use of biodegradable products and recycling could help make the tourism sector more sustainable.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Fatuma Hirsi Tourism PS Sacked

Fatuma Hirsi, Tourism Principal Secretary
President Uhuru Kenyatta has sacked Tourism Principal Secretary Fatuma Hirsi.

In a letter dated May 30, Hirsi was informed that her contract was not renewed following Uhuru's election for his second and final term.

Your employment contract has been terminated forthwith, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua told her.

You will be paid your salary up to June 30, which will be your last working day.

Kinyua asked Hirsi to hand over to the Wildlife Principal Secretary.

He thanked her for her services and wished well, in the letter copied to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Hotel Performance Drops Compared To Other African Countries

Kenyan hotels recorded an average 48 per cent occupancy last year, trailing the Africa average even as new establishments boosted Kenya’s total bed space amid a rise in tourist arrivals.

A new report by realtors Knight Frank shows that the overall African hotel occupancy rate, as reported by hotel data provider STR Global, was 58 per cent, up from 54.9 per cent in 2016.

Kenya was beaten by Tanzania, which recorded a 54 per cent rate with South Africa posting a 64 per cent rate.

Last year the Kenyan economy was ngatively affected because of politics, which disrupted business in the larger urban centres following disputed over poll results.

Mauritius at 80 per cent and Seychelles at 73 per cent were 2017’s top-performing markets, in terms of both occupancy and room rates.

Both markets are dominated by luxury resort hotels, and have been relatively immune to the security concerns that have impacted resort locations elsewhere in Africa, said the report.

Past data from the Tourism ministry shows the contribution of visitor arrivals from East Africa helped grow Kenya’s overall tourism arrivals to 1.47 million last year, up from 1.34 million in 2016 although the numbers remained well below a peak of 1.83 million in 2011.

Revenue from tourism, one of Kenya’s main hard currency earners alongside tea and horticulture, totalled Sh120 billion for 2017, Tourism secretary Najib Balala said early February.

A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Hotel Outlook 2017, estimates that a total of 13 hotels are set to open in Kenya over the next five years, growing the bed space by over 2,400 rooms.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Tourists Flock Kenya Hotels In Readiness For Easter

Coast Hotels are optimistic of peak business during the Easter holiday that begins Friday.

Some of the establishments are already fully booked as holidaymakers trickle in to the resort town of Diani for festivities.

Hotels say local tourists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda have boosted their Easter bookings.

Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort General Manager, Dickson Ogolla, said the hotel has 60 per cent bookings for Easter, adding that he expects the number to increase before Friday.

"We expect the bookings to increase to 80 per cent as more guests from upcountry will be trickling down for the celebrations," he said today.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye and Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) chairman Mohamed Hersi said operators were banking on the long weekend for increased business.

They say most hotels in the region are enjoying 70 to 80 per cent bed capacity with camps enjoying 60 per cent.

“We are doing fine. Easter has come quite early this time in March rather than April. We are looking at good occupancies although again Kenyans are very good in last minute bookings. We are optimistic the hotels will be full,” Mr Hersi said.

“Try to book a flight to Mombasa or Madaraka Express you won’t find any. That just tells you many Kenyans are travelling,” he added.

Kaskazi Beach Hotel general manager Imtyaz Ahmed Mirza echoed the sentiment, saying his hotel currently has an occupancy of 95 per cent.

Baobab Beach Resort also confirmed a 100 per cent occupancy rate, with 50 per cent of guests being locals while the rest are international visitors.

Mr Ikwaye reckons that the increased business from the region is due to marketing.

“There has been a lot of investments in terms of marketing in Kwale. Players in the sector have gone to World Travel Market and Uganda to source for tourists. They have upped their marketing budget and it is paying off,” he said.

He says quelled political temperatures and continued peace have also boosted tourist confidence.

“Many people didn’t travel in December due to the rising political temperatures. They now have a reason to take holidays and schools will also be closed. We are in the end of high season. Accessibility due to road network has really helped,” he added.

Despite the positive prospects ahead of the Easter holiday, Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has recently blamed over-reliance on seasonal foreign tourists for loss of Kenya's competitive edge in the global market.



Tourism Observer

KENYA: Tourism Stakeholders Reject Najib Balala Proposal To Merge All Tourism Associations In To One

Some Tourism stakeholders has rejected a government proposal to dissolve all tourism associations and merge them into one representative body.

Last week, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala had suggested that the sector's players establish one lobby to represent the interests of those in the private sector rather than having many associations.

Najib Balala said having one body would strengthen their voice and and better help them push their agenda.

It will be easier for me to hold negotiations with officials of one tourism umbrella body rather than officials from 24 tourism associations, Mr Balala had said.

However, the Tourism Professional Association (TPA) has come out to oppose the bid saying the law supports formation of regional associations to represent interests of various players.

The Tourism Cabinet Secretary’s suggestion is against the TRA (Tourism Regulatory Authority) Act which encourages establishment of regional tourism associations, TPA interim secretary Sam Ikwaye said Monday, adding that the different associations represent different interests.

Mr Ikwaye also says devolution had further segmented the goals of different tourism organisations in the 47 counties.

There is no way we can dissolve the tourism associations to form one association as the interests of hoteliers are different from those of tour operators or travel agents, he added, citing the Kenya Coast Tourism Association for tourism players and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators for tour operators.

Currently, there are more than 40 associations representing the interests of different investors in the industry.



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KENYA: Madaraka Express To Increase Frequency Routes Between Mombasa And Nairobi

Kenya Railways will in july increase the frequency of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger trains between Mombasa and Nairobi to accommodate increasing demand from travellers.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said Thursday that four more Madaraka Express trains will transport passengers between Mombasa and Nairobi starting July.

Beginning next month, three trains will transport commuters to Nairobi daily while three others ferry passengers to Mombasa.
The increase in trains connecting the capital and the coastal hub brings the total number to six a day.

Speaking at Diani Reef Beach Resort in Kwale, Mr Balala added that following the introduction of the train services, hotels in Mombasa had experienced a rise in the number of domestic tourists.

The first train, which will make stopovers at stations like Voi and Mtito Andei along the way, will depart from Mombasa at 8 a.m. while the second - which will be express - will depart at 9 a.m.

Mr Balala explained that the third train will also be express and will depart from the port city at 3 p.m.

It has come to our understanding that many travellers have been missing the opportunity to travel by rail. Some groups of tourists have been unable to travel to Mombasa due to limited seats, he said.

Mr Balala was optimistic that the move will boost tourism in Mombasa and Nairobi and go a long way in reviving the industry.

Meanwhile, Mr Balala suggested that construction of a bridge between Mombasa Island and Likoni could offer a lasting solution to the transport crisis in the area.

He said that although the government would soon receive two new ferries built in Turkey, they will not be a lasting solution to mass transport challenges on the channel.

The major challenge crippling tourism in the South Coast is the problem of transport on the Likoni channel. The solution is for the government is to build a bridge,he said.

However, Mr Balala noted that when the Dongo Kundu bypass project is completed, it would help address transport problems between Mombasa and Kwale counties.


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KENYA: Tourist Arrivals Have Shot Up 10% 2017

Tourist arrivals grew by 10.6 per cent this financial year, according to Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) chief executive officer Betty Radier.

Ms Radier said the industry’s growth was bolstered by yielding markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, India and China.

Speaking at Diani Reef Beach Resort in Kwale on Friday during a Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) annual symposium, the KTB boss attributed the growth to the government’s tourism recovery campaigns locally and international markets.

However, she added that the Ministry of Tourism will soon hold a press conference in Nairobi to give detailed information about the tourism growth.

In the last five years, KTB has been focusing on tourism recovery by convincing the international markets that Kenya is safe for holiday in a bid to overcome the challenge of insecurity perception, she said.

Following security improvement in the country and the positive image building campaigns have paid off as the international markets now have confidence in the Kenyan destination.

But Ms Radier said the tourism recovery will depend on how the country conducts the August 8 polls.

If the country achieves peaceful elections, then the industry has the potential to recover given that tourism posted a 10.6 per cent growth this financial year.

For tourism to post further growth, the KTB boss urged political leaders and their supporters to carry out their campaigns peacefully.

Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia and Egypt receive more international tourist arrivals of between 10 million and 11 million each, this can be attributed it to the two North African countries being short haul destinations.

Kenya is a longer distance as a destination and as a result, travel costs are much higher than those of Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia and Egypt.

Despite the distance, KTB is taking advantage of the local premier products such as beach and safari, diverse cultures as well as unique and authentic experiences to woo more international holidaymakers.

In order to build up the international tourist numbers, Ms Radier said KTB would focus more on markets which yield good results.

She also added that the marketing agency was working towards promoting the country in new markets in efforts to increase international visitor numbers.

On Thursday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala threatened to cut the Kenya Tourism Board’s marketing budget if the team fails to deliver the desired results.

Mr Balala said although the government had been allocating a substantial amount of money for marketing to KTB, the country was not getting much value for its money.

He added that in the last two financial years, the government had allocated Sh2 billion for marketing.



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KENYA: Seychelles Tourism Board Signs MOU With Kenya Airways

The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Tourism and National Carrier, Kenya Airways yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) to promote tourism and boost intra-Africa trade and travel between two of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

This was confirmed at a handover ceremony held at The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure attended by Cabinet Secretaries: Dr. James Macharia, Transport and Communications and Najib Balala, Tourism and Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine – Mr. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne.

The agreement encapsulates a framework for collaboration between the airline and the Seychelles Tourism Board and is underpinned by the strategic value of tourism to both organizations, and to the airline’s purpose to promote sustainable development in Africa. The MoU covers promoting intra-Africa tourism through joint marketing efforts, participation in events across Africa, and stakeholder education.

'Statistics indicate an increase in arrivals from both destinations to each other’s countries. There is - therefore, a solid ground to further grow and sustain tourism in both destinations' said Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

Kenya Airways has operated into Seychelles since 1972 and today flies four times a week to the island – located a thousand plus kilometres off the coast of Eastern Africa.

'We will work together to come up with tourism-boosting strategies including incentive travels and holiday packages. We are excited by the possibilities offered by Kenya Airways and the support accorded to us by The Government of Kenya' responded Mr. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine.

Through its SkyTeam partnership, Kenya Airways offers access to 1,000 destinations across the world and is looking to add the U.S in its repertoire as Kenya is now qualified for Category 1 – which allows the airline to fly to and from the U.S.

'Through this opportunity, Kenya Airways will seek to not only boost the frequency of flights into Seychelles, but will avail regular cargo freight flights on the request of the Seychelles government based on demand for products from Kenya' added Kenya Airways CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze.

TANZANIA: EAC Tourism Plan, Tanzania Reluctant

Tanzania’s reluctance to implement regional integration projects came under sharp focus yesterday during this year’s magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi.

Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda revived calls for a joint marketing campaign for the recovering tourism sector.

The three countries yesterday called on Tanzania to come on board in promoting the region as a package, through the single tourist visa.

“Tanzania has issues. It is the fear of the unknown and fear of competition. We need to grow beyond competition,” Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said, adding “Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda see ourselves as complementary.”

Tanzania has given the regional initiative meant to facilitate access to all member states using a univisa a wide berth.

It has also refused to open up her border at the Mara River to allow movement of tourists flocking the region for the historic Wildebeest migration.

A diplomatic row between Kenya and Tanzania was also witnessed in the last two years over the ban of tour vehicles to access one another’s borders, an issue that is yet to be fully addressed.

“Eventually we will be looking to resolve these issues through dialogue. I am optimistic Tanzania will finally come on board.

Maybe we need to give them time,” Balala said at the annual fair.

Rwanda,Uganda and Kenya have implemented the single visa and use of national identification cards to cross to either sides.

The visa uptake has, however, remained low since its launch in February 2014, with only 4,000 visas having been issued so far.

The three governments cited lack of enough promotion, calling on high commissioners both in Africa and abroad to market the visa. Under the single visa regime, foreigners can visit Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda at a fee of $100(Sh10,130 ), current exchange rate.

“High commissioners should emphasise we have a single visa. It is so unfortunate that tourists pay for different visas to enter the three countries yet they can have one visa,” East African Tourism Platform chairman Bonifence Byamukama said.

The three states have agreed to have a joint stand at the World Travel Market in London (November 7-9 ), to market the region.

KENYA: Opportunity To Gain From Numerous Conferences In 2017

2017 will see Kenya’s tourism industry grow, with a number of international conferences slated to take place.

Confirmed hotel and conference hall bookings indicate 2017 will witness a hype of activity buoyed by 2016’s success that saw over 100 world leaders visit Kenya at different times.

In the past, election years in Kenya have attracted an intense focus by the international media, as chaos associated with this period provided fodder for the global networks.

Conflicts during electioneering period have hurt businesses and affected their ability to provide wealth and employment.

Last year, a survey by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) noted Kenyan businesses’ apprehension over the political situation as the General Election nears. Kepsa called for closer consultations between business leaders and the political class to avert revenue and job losses.

Without violence, however, sustained focus by the media during an election year could be a make-or-break opportunity for Kenya to brand herself as a must-visit destination for tourists, building onto last year’s success.

What is expected in 2017

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) annual meeting is slated for February 24 to February 26 at Nairobi’s Kenyatta international Convention Centre (KICC), bringing in its 3,000 members to sample Nairobi’s accommodation, cuisine and nightlife.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says winning the bid to host ASTA members was Kenya’s magical moment to triple tourist arrivals.

Mr Balala notes that hoteliers, tour operators, commercial and chartered airline operators and other stakeholders will use the conference to form networks for closed-circuit deals.

“ASTA members will then return home and sell what they tasted, saw and conquered. The Kenyan people, their diverse cultures, food, our cities, wildlife and our coast beaches are a sure attraction that can translate into jobs that also attract foreign exchange earnings,” he says.

Available data shows 82,363 visitors from the US visited Kenya between January and October followed by Britain’s 80,821 tourists, 54,983 (India) and Uganda (45,116).

Notable events hosted in Nairobi in 2016 include the week-long United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Nairobi, Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific Parliamentary Assemblies meeting, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICADVI) and the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF).

On January 18 to January 20, Germany’s IQPC has planned the Modern Airports Africa Conference for government ministers, deputy ministers, general managers, aviation facility director generals, finance directors and technical officers.

The two-day workshop will deliberate on technological advances on modernising the airports in Africa via development financing as well as public-private and private investments.

Power Tech Africa conference will be held in Nairobi on January 30 to January 31 where private and government energy experts will look at available sources of renewable energy equipment that can be used to fast-track implementation of smart grid/off– grid technologies across Africa.

With increased urbanisation across many cities in Africa, the "Effluent and Waste Water Management Conference" will be held at a Nairobi Hotel on February 7 to February 8 where modern technologies on handling effluent will be discussed for a better environment.

Between February 28 and March 1, 3000 senior representatives from regional governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, development banks, civil society organisations and the private sector will also meet to discuss effect of donor aid with a view to improving handling of projects for public good during the “AIDF Aid and Development Africa Summit 2017.”

Maritime industry players, including top government officials, port authorities, contractors, technology providers, suppliers of port equipment and port engineers will congregate in Mombasa for the African Ports Expansion Conference scheduled to take place on March 20 to March 21 where they will discuss the biggest challenges on cargo handling.

The Africa Mobile and Digital Banking Summit slated for March 22 to March 23 brings aboard influential players in the banking sector to look at emerging challenges that threaten their businesses and chart effective responses that will emphasise on the use of technological innovations to counter the challenges.

Last year, Mykar Events Hong Kong held its first East Africa Retail Summit and have confirmed a second Sales-Driven Summit to be held on April 5-6 in Nairobi.

Other conferences bringing professionals, policy makers, traders and equipment makers to Nairobi are the 2nd East Africa Education Conference 2017, the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit 2017, Power and Energy Summit Kenya, 2017, Oil and Gas Kenya, Solar Africa, AutoExpo, Mine Expo and the Africa Internet Summit.

The planned conferences mean a number of hotels will boast of an array of advance bookings, which is a boost for Kenya tourism.

However, the political climate during the electioneering period will have a bigger effect on tourism growth, given the influence of politics on overall business growth.

Africa Tourism Destinations Should Be First

Marketing Kenya and what it has to offer is largely focused on our traditional overseas markets in Europe and the United States with more and more forays into the Far East, where there is vast market potential.

But as I sat watching the visitors flocking into the recent domestic tourism expo at the Hub in Karen, Nairobi, I realised that it is time we seriously broke out of this box. I am not arguing that we abandon or even slacken the efforts to promote tourism in these traditional or emerging markets.

It is that for a long time attracting residents and visitors from the region to our tourism product was regarded as a useful top-up or filler. This was especially useful during low seasons or when for some reason the number of international visitors was down.

Indeed, there were, and still are, times when residents are clearly discouraged from going to certain domestic destinations due to a discriminating price structure.

I would argue that we have our priorities mixed up and that it is time the industry as a whole, as well as the individual players, worked on the basis that the largest markets, and the ones with massive growth potential, are the domestic and regional ones.

Kenya is a regional and communication hub serving a vast area of eastern Africa in its own right. It is used by many as an entrepôt and gateway to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Congo, Somalia, southern Sudan, and northern Tanzania.

Kenyan hotels play host to an assortment of domestic and regional visitors as well as those from overseas.

Why should we be putting more time and energy into this segment of the market? First there is the growing contingent of middle-class Kenyans who are becoming more intrepid and adventurous with their holiday time. Then there is the local and regional expatriate community, including a considerable number of people affiliated to the UN and various NGOs. Their friends and relatives come visiting and obviously want to enjoy Kenya’s tourism product.

Another increasingly important component of this equation is the many diaspora Kenyans, who come to visit and holiday.

These may appear rather obvious observations, but they should not be taken for granted. To see the difference we should compare ourselves with some of our competitors such as Tanzania that do not have such a catchment.

Contrary to overseas tourists, the domestic and regional visitors are more flexible in their times and dates. They are also less prone to being put off when there is some actual or perceived security concern.

Access is relatively good, especially with the increasing competition among the airlines plying the Malindi, Lamu, and Ukunda routes.

So what are the catches? Overall, the industry needs to embrace the concept that domestic and regional tourism is not only its bread and butter, but that it should be pursued.

I get amused, sometimes irritated, when I enquire about a place and I am fobbed of by getting quotations in US dollars and then looked at as if I cannot even afford the deposit.

The recent domestic tourism expo was a sorry shadow of what Kenya has to offer and did not do justice to our rich and diverse product. A much more enthusiastic and holistic domestic marketing policy is needed and, indeed, one that would cost a fraction of what we currently spend on promoting tourism abroad.

There is also the issue of price. Kenya is generally not regarded as a cheap destination. Then there is often the pretension that residents’ rates are a good deal. Not long ago I went somewhere on a supposed resident’s rate only to find out that fellow visitors from abroad were paying less per night than myself!

Last, but not least, is that tourism is a key economic driver with the advantage that it has a large multiplier effect among the population. That is all the more reason we need to work on making it more attractive to its largest customers here and in the region.

KENYA: New Appointments At Tourism Ministry

Mr Joseph Cherutoi New CEO Tourism Fund

The Tourism Fund and Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC) have new substantive chief executive officers.

At the Tourism Fund, Mr Joseph Cherutoi, who has been acting CEO has been confirmed to the position, according to the agency’s chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey. Cherutoi has been with the fund since 2014 when he was first appointed as Head of Finance and later acting CEO. Tourism Fund charges a 2 per cent levy on all gross sales of food, drinks and other tourism-related services.

Also, Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC) has appointed Jonah Orumoi as Managing Director. Orumoi who has been in office in acting capacity since his appointment by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala on February 26 replaced Maryanne Ndegwa.

TFC Board Chairman Mr Patrick Osero said Orumoi has been appointed as MD for a period of three years effective August 1, 2016. “We are confident that his leadership will refresh the delivery of the organisation’s mandate,” Osero said.

Orumoi was previously head of finance & ICT at the Kenya Tourism Board. TFC is mandated to facilitate and provide development funding and advisory services for long-term investment in Kenya’s tourism industry.

KENYA: It Won’t Be An Excursion, KTB Boss Jacinta Mbithi Says

From her education to experience, it is quite clear that Jacinta Mbithi, the new Acting Managing Director of the Kenya Tourism Board is not in any way new to the marketing business.

She has been the Acting Marketing Director at KTB for the last three years and has over 10 years experience in international tourism destination marketing.

Mbithi holds an MBA in Strategic Management with basis Marketing, a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management from Moi University and a Diploma in Marketing of Services from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands.

But notwithstanding all these qualifications, will she hack the top job at the tourism body?

“I don’t know how long I will be here but all I know I must make a difference,” she tells be during an interview at her office, “I have the responsibility to make KTB the institutions it ought to be.”

Mbithi tells me she did not see her acting post coming but accepted straightaway, as “she has all it takes.” The new boss replaced Muriithi Ndegwa who has been at the helm of KTB for slightly over six years.

She is coming in at a time when Kenya is on the tourism recovery process, after suffering a huge blow especially due to terrorism since 2013.

But even as KTB continues with other existing initiatives, her first course of action, she tells me, will be to review a lot of KTB’s marketing processes and models as well as the style of how the agency has been dealing with its key tourism players.

Just like Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, it will not be business as usual.

“There are policies and models that I want to review in regards to marketing strategy, our choice of markets, our level of investments moving forward, our product portfolio and also the internal representation model which KTB applies in the source markets,” she says.

On Kenya’s representation in the source markets to be specific, Mbithi plans to commence a study that will look into whether it needs to be changed or not. “Do we need to continue having the Marketing Developments Representatives (MDRs) for example or how do we do it differently.”

Being 2016, Mbithi says, the tourism sector is changing globally and so should KTB follow suit to be able to remain relevant in marketing Kenya.

For a long time, Kenya has suffered seasonal tourist arrivals dips especially when there are events that seem to threaten Kenya insecurity like terror threats or electioneering period.

On this, she says, KTB plans to review how it will be doing its international marketing apart from events.

This will be aimed at building a strong destination brand that will be resistant to negative incidences through global media advertising, endorsements from influential celebrities, reassurance mentions, interviews with tourists who have experienced Kenya among others.

“For example the other day, Paris was under attack by terrorists yet people are still travelling there. This is because they already have a strong brand, very strong brand. This is what I dream to see,” she says, ” We want our targets markets not to be just aware about Kenya but have the familiarity and this will be through telling facts.”

At the moment, the government has an ongoing campaign with Cable News Network (CNN) where Kenya has secured 1,600 advertising slots both on TV and online. The Sh100million campaign kicked off in October and will ending in June this year targeting key markets in Europe, America, Asia and Africa.

On domestic tourism, the board plans to come up with campaigns in a few weeks time will allow Kenyans to visit various local destinations at affordable prices.

“The Tembea Kenya campaign is our local brand and just like the ongoing SMS campaign we will have more that will now specify destinations and their costs at a particular period of time. Affordability is key.”

When appointing Mbithi last week, CS Balala mentioned that she will be acting boss until the recruitment process of a new MD is completed.

Will you apply for the job? I ask her. “We will cross the bridge when we get there.”

KENYA: Beautiful Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi New KTB Acting CEO,Jacinta Is Good For Kenya Tourism

Government of Kenya has appointed Mrs. Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi as the acting Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Tourism Board (KTB). The appointment is with immediate effect. The appointment was announced by Tourism Cabinet Minister Najib Balala. This follows the exit of Mr. Muriithi Ndegwa whose term has expired after serving in the helm of the country’s tourism marketing agency for two full terms since October, 2009.

Until her appointment, Mrs. Jacinta Nzioka – Mbithi has been the acting Director of Marketing for the last three years. She has over 10 years in international tourism destination marketing. Cabinet Secretary Balala while making the appointment thanked Ndegwa for the diligent service he has offered the Government during his two term period in office.

He said Mrs Nzioka-Mbithi will remain in the acting position until a competitive recruitment exercise is completed by the Board.

Mrs. Nzioka thanked the Minister for appointment and assured the industry and stakeholders of KTB’s s commitment in driving tourism sector on its recovery path. “A lot of recovery programmes have been put in place and together with the industry players, we are fully committed to their implementations,” said Nzioka

Nzioka is one of the founding Executive Directors of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) and member to the board of Ecotourism Kenya. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management with Marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management from Moi University and a post graduate Diploma in Marketing of Services from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands.

The news of Jacinta’s appointment was received with joy yesterday all over Africa. Every member of Teamafrica all expressed joy that her efforts to promote Kenya allover Africa has been recognised by the Cabinet Secretary.

A message from Carmen Nigibira, the coordinator of the East African Platform (EATP) congratulating Jacinta says, ‘EATP wishes to extend our sincere congratulations to Jacinta on her new appointment as the Acting Managing Director of Kenya Tourism Board.

‘Considering the great importance of the excellent relations between EATP and KTB in the tourism sector, we are convinced that during her mandate, these will continue to deepen further. KTB as part of the secretariat of the Joint Tourism Marketing Committee (JTMC) has continued to show great support in the integration process in the Northern Corridor’.

Continuing, Carmen explained that the ‘KTB has been on the front-line in supporting the Single Tourist Visa (STV) and the use if Identity Cards for travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda as well as championing regional tourism. The future of tourism is embedded in regional integration, whether it is in EAC or beyond. We look forward to our joint collaboration in promoting East Africa as a single tourism destination with all the five partner states’.

Another founding Member of Teamafrica, Sandra Idossou, had this to say of the appointment: ‘My heartfelt congratulations to a dynamic Tourism Woman I’m extremely proud of. Jacinta Nzioka Mbithi’s appointment as the new Acting MD of KTB comes as no surprise because of her passion and hard work in promoting MagicalKenya. I wish her good luck and believe that she will do her possible best in promoting Kenya not only to other parts of the world but more especially to Africans. Africa for Africans indeed. Jacinta, you can always count on me! All the best.’

Mr. Denis Gathanju expressed his best wishes in a short word: ‘Congratulation’, while Ikechi Uko prays that the good work Jacinta had been doing connecting Kenya to Africa will now be given greater impetus. ‘Jacinta is good for Kenya Tourism’

KENYA: Priority Access To The Ferries Crossing The Likoni Channel

New management of the Kenya Ferry Services has finally acceded to constant demands by the coast tourism industry and granted priority access to the ferries crossing the Likoni channel, which separates the island of Mombasa and the south coast.

Regular delays caused by ferries developing mechanical problems and long queues have in the past cost tourists dearly when, coming from the south coast based resorts they reached the airport late and their flights had left without them.

The constant aggravation by long suffering coast residents but especially the tourist resort operators eventually led to the sacking of the company’s Managing Director and other senior management just days after President Uhuru Kenyatta, accompanied by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, visited the ferry company and took a ride across the channel.

Acting Managing Director Bakari Gowa swiftly realized on which side his bread was buttered, unlike his hapless predecessor Musa Hassan Musa who had locked horns with all and sundry, and granted the tourism industry’s request without much ado and notably without added charges for being able to jump the queues.

Ferries now also start operations at 05.00 hrs in the morning, providing added relief to commuters and in particular tourists either heading to the airport or out on safari, as they will now be able to beat the rush hour traffic, safely make it for their flights or else be out of the city enroute to Tsavo or Amboseli without the hitherto often long delays.

‘Gowa is a man of his word. When he took over he promised to give the tourism industry a break and he has delivered. Musa was just full of himself and always arguing, always on the defensive. Now we can have a partnership with the KFS and few will argue when tourist busses jump the waiting lines.

After all, Mombasa makes a living from tourism and we must facilitate operations, not create roadblocks’ said a regular coast based source when passing the information.

The new deal applies to all branded tourist busses and vans, hotel shuttle busses and branded limousines. Added measures taken by the new management include the employment of more ticketing staff and the increase in deployment from two to three ferries during off peak hours and the early start of the peak traffic deployment of four ferries from 15.30 hrs, half an hour earlier from the previous operating schedules.

KENYA: Hotelier Joseph Muya Of Lake Nakuru Lodge Wins Trip to Spain

Veteran hotelier Joseph Muya has won an all-paid trip to Spain for his contribution in nurturing the tourism sector in Kenya.

Mr Muya, who has for decades managed the Lake Nakuru Lodge, received the award during the inaugural meeting of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Kenya Chapter at KICC’s Aberdare Hall when Kenya’s bid to host ASTA’s global meeting in February 2017 was launched.

“Kenya has shown its vitality to bounce back as Africa’s pearl on matters tourism. Ebola, Al-Shabab, bomb blast, Garissa, Mandera, Kikambala, Gikomba among other ills had a negative effect on its tourism but we are now showing signs of withering the current storm,” he said.

Mr Muya urged the government to inject more funds to ease the financial burdens currently being experienced by lodges that had taken loans to fund expansion projects.

The government funds should later be charged lower interest rates, he said.

“The government should also consider waiving taxes and other visa charges that hinder tourists’ desire to savour Kenya’s beaches, cities, geographical features and wildlife and luxurious facilities.

“Other countries have done it and are now enjoying dividends from their deliberate policies to help restore the vibrancy of the tourism sector,” he said.

Mr Muya expressed optimism that ongoing efforts by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala to promote Kenya’s tourism will bear fruit.

He said CS Balala had captured the tourists’ minds globally by his recent antics that led to his being christened the ‘skyrocketing CS’ by world media.

Mr Balala recently participated in a parachuting event in Watamu in the Coast after tourists labelled it as the world’s leisure capital.

Mr Muya said Kenyans must deliberately join hands in securing all areas so as to lure tourism billions that are currently being spent elsewhere.

“Kenya has beautiful people whose cultures excite interest across the world. What of the folk songs and dances that are a must have at our lodges?” he posed.

The veteran hotelier, who also runs Naivasha Crescent Camp, will be hosted at Seville, France during the 2016 ASTA meeting and will join ASTA president Zane Kerby and ASTA-Kenya President Samson Some in vouching for Kenya’s bid to host ASTA’s global conference in 2017.

ASTA’s Vice President Susan Cheats said engaging America travel agents would give Kenya a chance to restore its global fame as the preferred tourist destination, especially with its recent branding as Africa’s commercial capital for the business traveller.

“We have been telling tourists to visit our President’s (Obama) home and meet his people.

“We need to directly engage with the travel agents and tell them Kenya is a democratic nation whose sole interest is to do business and foster development through creation of more jobs,” said Ms Cheats.

Mr Muya observed that the downward trend in tourism has seen many hotels retrench staff while others now faced imminent closure due to bad debts.

The Kenya Tourism Trust Fund, he said, must meet with hospitality members and plan for a revamp by giving out cheap loans.

“We have always gone out there to lure tourists to visit Kenya and it is time the government engaged us to chart the way forward.

“We know the markets and all that is needed is closer co-operation to change the global media hype that Kenya is a terrorists’ den,’ he said.

Mr Muya has been ASTA’s member for the past 30 years.

KENYA:The English Point Marina

The English Point Marina, the brainchild of two Kenyan brothers, Alnoor and Amyn Kanji, is a unique development in Mombasa.

The four-acre ocean view, multi-million dollar marina resort features a 26-room hotel, conferencing facility, a roof-top restaurant, a casino, swimming pool, 96 serviced apartments, a seafront restaurant, gym and spa, a boardwalk with retail outlets, water-sports centre and fully-serviced 88-berth marina.

The new state-of-the-art facility was opened on Tuesday by President Uhuru Kenyatta who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret. Also at the colourful event were cabinet secretaries Najib Balala (Tourism) and Eugene Wamalwa (Water and Irrigation), Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, State House comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa and Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association chairman Mohamed Hersi.

KENYA: English Point Marina Will Boost Kenya Tourism

After a two-year delay, the iconic English Point Marina in Nyali, Mombasa, was on Tuesday finally opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta. In a colourful event attended by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho among other dignitaries, the President lauded the project, asking more investors to put money in the tourism sector.

“Let me congratulate the management, financiers and the Ministry of Tourism for making the English Point Marina dream come true. The English Point Marina is an iconic landmark in the City of Mombasa with a modern design and contemporary feel,” President Kenyatta said of the Sh5.1 billion project overlooking Fort Jesus. The marina has been described as one of the most magnificent tourist resorts between Cape Town in South Africa and Cairo in Egypt.

“This will encourage those already flying in to increase the frequency of their flights,” said President Kenyatta. Interestingly, the president had expressed his interest to preside over the opening of the project when he visited the site early last year.

According to sources, his itinerary had not allowed for that to happen in the course of last year, even as the final touches were being put on what the Managing Director Alnoor Kanji described as ‘intricate’ design.

Initially set to be opened in November 2013, the Marina’s opening had been postponed more than four times. “The interest English Point has generated since it started to take shape is the reason it has taken a while to be completed,” General Manager Philip Jones said mid last year from his first floor office at the English Point Marina Hotel.

He partly blamed the contractors for the delay. “There are many challenges, but contractors have to take responsibility. We have had to re-do a number of things because they were done wrongly. It has taken longer than expected because the contractors have erred more than once,” he said. English Point Marina has a 26-room hotel, conferencing facilities, a roof-top restaurant, a gym and spa, a swimming pool, 96 serviced apartments and eight penthouses.

It also has a popular boardwalk that features retail outlets, water-sports centre and a fully-serviced 88-berth marina. Since November 2014, the facility has had a soft opening with the boardwalk, a popular site for wedding ceremonies and cocktail events.