Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi, acting managing director of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), narrates to Special Correspondent, RENN OFFOR, the initiatives the government has taken to bolster security against terrorist attacks.
She also cites economic indicators which drive new investments, so that tourism can return to the front burner of the economy.
Resurgence from challenges
For the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) to have ranked Kenya top tourism destination in Africa in 2015 clearly indicates that the tourism business in Kenya is resilient, and growing.
There’s a new investment in the tourism sector.
Recently Radisson Blu opened its first ever hotel in Kenya. We have Hilton Hotel confirm that they will build an airport hotel. We have other new hotels. So there are a lot of investments around the country.
The beauty is that since 2010, we have had a new Constitution that changed our government format. We are now in devolved government. We have counties.
Before, we just had central governments, but now we have county governments led by a governor, full with ministries responsible for tourism, education, health and everything.
These people are funded by the government. And now, development of infrastructure and development of all the sectors are happening in the entire country.
So, the opportunities are there to invest in various places. You’re going to see in the next two to three years, places where we never imagined there could be tourism developing, because they have the manpower and the resources.
It’s an opportunity for us as Kenyans, we are sending to the world a fresh new product; something new. There is a lot of interest in investment. All these counties are going around the world, looking for investors in their particular counties.
That is why you’re seeing these rankings going up for Kenya, despite the fact that we had challenges in the last two years.
These challenges are global challenges. Terror attacks are global phenomena. They can happen anywhere. They happened in Kenya, and that made our tourism go down.
But the potential, nothing has changed. Tourism is still thriving. We are therefore looking at a very positive future.
Functions of Kenyan tourism police
We have about 300 tourism police officers, and these tourism police officers are spread only in the tourism areas. The rest of the police are for security.
Because we have concentrated areas for tourism, so they are spread in these particular places to ensure the safety and security of tourists, as the principal mandate for them.
Attraction to Nigeria
We are here in Nigeria with the contingent from the Kenya Tourism Board. We are bringing our cultural troupe here to come and showcase our cultural attractions to the Nigerian people.
Nigeria is key for us. Number one. Even before tourism, our government was looking at Nigeria as an investment partner.
Recently our president came to Nigeria. We also had a visit from the former president of Nigeria with a big business delegation coming into Kenya.
For us, in terms of investment, that is key. Kenya has focused on emerging markets for all the sectors.
But for tourism, we are looking at intra-African tourism as very key. Since the last two years that we have had terror attacks, Africa is the only market that has not died, that has not completely gone to its knees. It’s because the African market is resilient.
Africans are thronging even when Europeans have set up advisories against visiting parts of Africa.
The other thing is that middle class in Africa is growing. And Africans are tremendously now looking out for places to go.
They have gone to Europe, they have gone to America, and to Dubai, wherever! It is now time for Africa! They are travelling within the African region.
The other thing is that Kenya has changed its visa regulations for all Nigerians. Before now, Nigerians could not get visa on arrival in Kenya. Now, you can get it instantly right on arrival in the country.
Before now, you had to apply, wait for a few days, and send your passport.
Now it is easy: get on the flight, get on to Nairobi, and you get your visa on arrival, as long as you have a return ticket, and you have done bookings, so that it is clear where you’re going.
We have direct flights from Abuja and from Lagos. These open up business opportunities for us.
So, we’re looking at this market being relative. This is a big economy in the world, and we want the Nigerian money. We want a portion of that. Nigerians go around the world.
We saw in our study that in London, the highest spenders in terms of jewellery are Nigerians.
You go there, you’re spending in restaurants, you’re shopping, you’re going out. You’re tourists who go with money, and that is what we want.
A portion of this is what we want, so that the Kenyan people can benefit from tourism.
Why Kenya attended AfTM in Lagos despite Ebola virus scare
As I told you, it was a deliberate decision for Kenya to look at Africa. If you listen to our president, in the sectors, he’ll always say, “Look at Africa. This is where the future is! So, why are we running around the world and we’re having these potentials here?”
Last year, we decided we would proceed to Akwaaba (Akwaaba African Travel Market, AfTM) even if there was Ebola issue. The whole world left Africa because of Ebola. We had to stand with Africa.
It was an opportunity for us to show solidarity with Nigerians. It is time for Africa to look at one another and to support one another.
So, we market our country to you: come and enjoy yourselves. Tell us where we need to improve or to change, and we will do so to fit in and meet the needs of Nigerians.
European travel advisories against Kenya
My personal opinion is that it is not fair. Let me say why. Travel advisories were issued against Kenya because of terror attacks. Not because of Kenyans fighting Kenyans.
It was an attack, and we were the victim of terrorism. So, it’s not that when you come to Kenya, we Kenyans will attack you. No! You can be attacked anywhere. This thing is global.
Right now, who has issued travel advisories against Paris? No one! Instead, they’re saying we support France. So, why not do the same to Kenya.
After suffering all that, losing our people, going through such a traumatising event and calling on the international community to support us, we have been able to secure our borders. We have improved security in various places.
You’re going into a mall, a hotel, church or mosque…. Wherever you live, you need to know your 10 neighbours.
What I’m saying was started by the president. With all these improvements, there are still countries which don not believe that we are a peaceful nation.
(United States President, Barack) Obama has visited Kenya, and also Pope Francis. If they have travelled all the way, come, it is an endorsement.
But some countries have not lifted those warnings. I don’t think it’s fair! Immediately Obama left Kenya, the U.S. lifted its advisory, the United Kingdom lifted its advisory.
I’m sure the rest of other European countries will follow on that path, because they look at the same issues.
It’s just a matter of time because they have to report to their head office, and to their capitals and get everything processed.
But we are very confident because we know as a government the measures that have been taken, and the preparedness and alertness of the Kenyan people.
• Continues in next edition
