Gov’t Formulating Enhanced Policy Document To Transform Tourism Industry
By Kenya News Agency
Director of the State Department for Tourism, Mr. David Kinyangi, has stated that the State Department was formulating an enhanced policy document that will help transform the tourism industry in the country.
Kinyangi assured all participants during the regional stakeholders meeting on the Draft National Tourism Policy and Tourism Act 2024 forum in Nyeri that their views and concerns would be taken into consideration when coming up with final documents, which will guide on how the industry will operate.
Among the interventions contained in the National Tourism Policy draft is the establishment of a National Convention Bureau (NCB) to promote centres for conferences, meetings and conventions (MICE) as part of promoting business tourism locally, regionally and internationally.
In addition, the NCB will invest in MICE infrastructure across the county to support and expand business tourism.
Other interventions include tapping the Health and Wellness Tourism segment, which has been touted as an upcoming trade in the tourism sector.
The Policy has identified the sector as a potential in the tourism sector owing to the growing number of specialised hospitals, wellness infrastructure and hotels with enhanced transport infrastructure.
“Health and wellness are a growing segment of the travel industry and travellers are increasingly seeking destinations which promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care through spa retreats, wellness resorts or immersive nature experiences .In order to promote health and wellness tourism, the National Government will support the development and provide incentives for investment in modern and state-of-the-art health and wellness facilities and strengthen health and wellness value chains amongst stakeholders,” reads section 3.2.7 of the policy document.
The Tourism Bill 2024 proposes the establishment of a Tourism Research Institute as part of a broader structure for providing critical information to the State in improving the tourism sector.
The Institute will be responsible for undertaking research on disaster management, impacts and mitigation, and adaptive strategies to climate change and publishing an annual report on its findings to relevant agencies, institutions and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.
The Tourism Bill also proposes the Institute to support devolved governments by carrying out feasibility studies on tourist development across the country.
The tourism sector in the country is reported to have recorded an improved performance in international arrivals in 2023 by 31.5 percent to stand at 1,951,185 visitors compared to 2022, when arrivals stood at 1,483,752, according to figures from the State Department for Tourism.
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