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November 20, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke Verbatim NEWSFOCUS | 7 year for Kenya’s tourism sector offers along with the commuter train services that have enhanced ease and affordable travel for Kenyans mostly travelling from Nairobi. We are inviting Kenyans to be on the look out and take advantage of affordable packages for their families and friends. Kenyans must feel and enjoy tourism in their own country. Constant flow of information on domestic tourism potential, products and offers has changed consumer attitudes and travel behavior, as Kenyan residents are now more aware of the benefits of taking regular breaks away from home. The tourism sector is banking on increasing demand for travel by Kenyans, especially the middle class and groups. According to Ipsos Synovate, over 10 million Kenyans are in middle-class status with their spending power ranging from shillings 24,000 to 120,000 shillings per month. Further, over 1.2 million Kenyans are potential air travelers, adding to the potential of domestic travelling across the country. The increasing number of flights to popular tourism destinations across the country is a testimony to the fact that the domestic traveler, more than before, is an important customer and has contributed to our current tourism performance. The government is keen on identifying viable areas and priorities of harnessing domestic tourism, which is crucial in cushioning the sector during low season by foreign travelers. My message to the counties is that there is taking care of and developing its ocean, lakes, rivers, rivulets in a sustainable manner. These present a platform with immense potential for inclusive economic development. Coastal tourism is the largest market segment in the world economy, comprising 5 % of the global GDP and about 7% of global employment. However, marine and coastal tourism has brought with it increased greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and marine debris. Marine debris, plastic materials and micro-plastics threaten the integrity of marine food chains. Documented dead marine zones now number over 405 covering an area of over 240,000km2. Mitigation and adaptation must be enhanced to provide increased support for emergency preparedness and disaster response, as well as early warning systems, observations and coastal planning and management. Marine-based tourism like sports fishing, dinner cruises; businesses and activities related to ports; port operations and relevant industries; Shipping and logistics and commercial maritime support services can be very beneficial to our economy and people’s livelihoods, if well-planned and implemented properly. One example of a coastal city blue economy opportunity is its sandy beaches. These beaches offer economic opportunities to all income levels as they attract numerous tourism-related activities, such as leisure accommodation and water sports. Coastal cities have significant historical and cultural importance. They play a crucial role in harnessing the potential of the blue economy and improving the living standards of coastal communities. Under both the National Tourism Blueprint (NTB) 2030 & National Wildlife Strategy (NWS) 2030, the Ministry has prioritised the fixing, refreshing and revamping of our key tourism products, i.e. the African Safari and beach destinations – which directly depend on any developments in the blue economy. Once these are rejuvenated, they shall enable tourism to be a top economic pillar for our country. Domestic tourism has been rising for four years How exactly are you encouraging domestic tourism in Kenya? Current statistics indicates that a total of 3.6 million bed nights were taken up by domestic tourism segment in 2016 compared to 3.1 million in 2015, a 14.6% growth. This represents 57% of all bed nights that totaled to 6.3 million. The performance of domestic tourism has been on the rise for the past four years. Last year, the domestic bed nights’ figure closed at 3.67 million bed nights compared to 3.64 million in 2016/17. This growth is attributed to aggressive marketing initiatives towards building interest for travel within. Through partnerships with the industry, affordable travel packages are being developed for the Kenyan traveler ahead of December holidays. Most accommodation facilities ahead of the December holidays are packaging their TOURISM PRINCIPAL SECRETARY JOE OKUDO need to invest in sustainable infrastructure in the counties to drive tourist activity to the regions. This Ministry - through KTB - is actively working with all 47 counties to empower them on how to package, position and sell their tourism products as export-ready products, in order to enable them to attract visitors that will experience the products as top experiences that are at a world-class standard. We are implementing this as part of the Tourism Product Development Strategy outlined in the National Tourism Blueprint (NTB) 2030. A good example is the Lake Region where KTB is working with counties to reposition the region’s diverse tourism products as top and world class experiences. This region has signature tourism products that include Nature and Wildlife (Impala Sanctuary, Lake Victoria, Kakamega Forest, Ruma National Park), Culture & Heritage (Kit Mikayi, former U.S President Barack Obama’s ancestral home, the Crying Stone, Soapstone carvings in Tabaka, Pottery, Museums – Nabongo Kingdom, Thimlich Ohinga), Beaches (Rusinga Island, Takawiri), Water sports (Sailing, Fishing, Cruises), Festivals and Events ( Bull Fighting & other Cultural events, sports and entertainment), as well as Agro-tourism (Tea and sugarcane plantations). Work is already ongoing to identify tourism products in the region that either have previously not been showcased, as well as those that require to be transformed into top travel experiences. Development of cruise ship tourism on Lake Victoria has been earmarked as one of the flagship projects in this area. This region is well-positioned to attract more tourist numbers in the short-term. Numerous top international hotel brands are queueing to set up in Nairobi. What is behind the interest? Nairobi is rated among top destinations on the rise in the world. Year after year, the city has been rated as one of the top cities to visit in the world, as it is a regional hub that connects the region with so many other parts of the world. It controls the country’s economy, with spend from the over 4 million resident population, thus suitable for varied investment opportunities. Nairobi city, for example, is fast-emerging as a base camp for large multinationals moving into Africa, embassies and NGO’s. It also, thanks to its convenient location, serves as an access point to other African countries for business travellers. With business tourism and economic activity in Nairobi intensifying, the hospitality sector has grappled somewhat to meet the burgeoning demand for accommodation, as well as meeting and conferencing facilities in the city. The setting up of these international brands in Nairobi has enhanced capacity for MICE, thus increasing Kenya’s chances for more conferences and events. We are planning to effect more experiences for short-term visitors, by allowing transit visas overnight and maximize use of these new hotels. Early this year, global travel website, TripAdvisor has rated Nairobi as one of the top ten destinations on the rise. Nairobi has been rated the third best destination on the rise in the world this year. According to the latest TripAdvisor’s top 10 award winners for 2018, Ishigaki Island in Japan was voted the top destination on the rise globally, while Kapaa in Hawaii was ranked second. Nairobi was voted third best destination on the rise by millions of travellers for being the safari capital of Africa, and as an energetic modern city that serves as a fascinating introduction to both wildlife and nightlife. The US travel website described Nairobi as a destination where “music clubs pulse with life, shops and markets bustle, and a mélange of restaurants will tempt your palate in this former Maasai watering hole”. According to TripAdvisor, top sights in Nairobi include the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre and the black rhinos at Nairobi National Park. TripAdvisor recommends holidaymakers to visit Nairobi, saying the city centre is safe to walk in and taxis make other areas accessible. The top 10 list of destinations on the rise in 2018 was chosen by millions of travellers from across the world. Visits by renowned global celebrities and personalities have also bolstered Nairobi’s image and stature as a global destination. The most recent visits to Kenya by global celebrities and personalities from the U.S. include that of the U.S First Lady, Melania Trump, former U.S. President Barack Obama and TV host Ellen Degeneres. Where is Kenya on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) map? Kenya and more specifically Nairobi is highlyprofiled as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). We are optimistic that this sector will continue growing, considering the high number of events which have been held and expected to take place in Kenya, including the just concluded SKAL World Congress that brought together over 500 delegates from across the globe and the up-coming Blue Economy Summit, which will be held in November (26th – 28th) and is expected to attract between 5000- 6000 delegates. The number of international high-profile conferences the country bids for and successfully hosts year-in year-out is what adds to the vibrancy of this segment. Nairobi city is a key player on MICE business. The World Travel Awards (WTA) - the Oscars of the travel industry - ranks Nairobi as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination. Its centrality and vitality in the number of international events it has been hosting, the ease of access and being projected as an East African business hub have made Nairobi businessfriendly. Indeed, Nairobi is among the world’s top 10 destinations on the move. Nairobi also has the unique status of being the only city in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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