UN agency pledges help in tourism recovery

What you need to know:

  • “This is an organisation with tremendous technical knowledge and capacity and I am positive they will make a meaningful contribution to the development and sustainability of our tourism industry,” she said.

A global tourism body will support Kenya in its bid to breathe life into the industry which has recently taken a beating from terrorism scare and travel advisories.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) said it was eager to assist the country get back on its feet during the world tourism celebrations held in Mexico last week.

East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie briefed UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai on challenges facing the local sector and measures undertaken by the government to scale down losses.

“This is an organisation with tremendous technical knowledge and capacity and I am positive they will make a meaningful contribution to the development and sustainability of our tourism industry,” she said.

Ms Kandie said a special team had been named to oversee rapid tourism recovery.

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce, formed in late July, was commissioned with an agenda to map out challenges in the industry, and submit viable stratagems that will position the country as a preferred destination in the region.