The new CS , has her work cut out , a lot has been done already since UDA took over and as other tourism departments continue with Brand Kenya marketing , she can embark on new impact-full changes that will have positive impact.
- For starters , we should revert parks and reserves to National Goverment. Tourism was once a top foreign exchange earner for Kenya hence a matter of national security? If handed to counties , the standards of management will depreciate hence killing the revenue.
- Stop new lodge construction in Maasai mara ,make it a periodic ,new lodges constructions should be in every 7 years and all conservation bodies should be involved on approval of construction.
- Reduce park fee to below Serengeti – this alone can move annual guests from 2.5 to 4m .
- Offer loan facilities from tourism fund or ease loan requirements at KDC to investments in Northern Kenya.
We need to focus on Sports tourism and expound on it . Running in Eldoret is not enough ” Former CS Mtua had a great vision, though people thought he was crazy by inviting Fomula 1 in Machakos! This can be done !! Rwanda is working on it already ! We are not late.
We have millions of acreas flat lands in Samburu north ,Marsabit and Turkana counties that can fit this sport! Thousands of cars will love and enjoy the drive from Nairobi and all towns along the road will benefit hugely .
We only need to promote it through zero rating products used in this sport , visa exceptions for people attending the events , ID only entry for Africa residents attending the event and support media companies promoting the events .
Madam CS was right , we are punching below our weight in Tourism.
