Kenya to use world expo in Italy to boost tourism

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gives a speech during the official opening of the Universal Exposition, EXPO2015, on May 1, 2015 in Milan. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE |

What you need to know:

  • Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie attending Expo Milano 2015.
  • Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi officially opened the expo with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Kenya hopes to use the ongoing world exhibition in Italy to revive tourism.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie says Expo Milano 2015, which opened on Saturday, will be an important arena to market Kenya’s tourist sites.

“Although many Italians and other Europeans already know how welcoming and wonderful Kenya can be — there is a thriving Italian community in Malindi — we look forward to meeting those that have yet to experience the rich culture, beauty, and investment opportunities that our country offers,” she said at the Kenyan stand in Milan.

Expo Milano 2015 is part of the Universal Exhibition which was last held in China in 2010. This year’s event, which goes on up to October 31, will see about 140 countries participate.

They are expected to “show the best of their technology that offers a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone while respecting the planet and its equilibrium,” a statement on its website says.

On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi officially opened the expo with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This was followed by a VIP event, which had a live televised address from Pope Francis and a flyover by the Italian Air Force.

About 20 million people are expected to visit the stands whose organisers say will help to “examines human history through the lens of two aspects of food production: traditional cultural values and use of new technologies.”

Mrs Kandie says Kenya will benefit from the visitors. The country’s tourism sector has taken a beating following a series of terror attacks and subsequent travel advisories from key source markets.

These markets include the US, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Germany and Italy.

According to the recent Economic Survey, earnings from tourism in 2014 dropped by 7.3 per cent.  The number of international visitor arrivals dropped 11.1 per cent from 1.5 million to 1.3 million. They are expected to drop further this year.