Body formed to market west Kenya tourism

Simbi Nyaima, a tourist attraction in Homa-Bay district. A body has been formed to promote tourism in the Western tourism circuit. Photo/JACOB OWITI

What you need to know:

  • Association aims to open up region’s huge potential that has been untapped

West Kenya is gearing up for a rebirth of its tourism sector, which has for long remained dull.

A body has been formed to expose the region’s many attractions, from the white sandy beaches of Takawiri Island in Lake Victoria to the depths of Kakamega forest in Western Province with its rare flora and fauna.

The Lake Victoria Tourism Association is a grouping of hoteliers, tour operators, airlines and the Municipal Council of Kisumu among other tourism players. 

Launched recently in Kisumu, the association promises to be the key that will open up the Western Kenya circuit, which has for long eluded players.

Apart from highlighting its cultural heritage, places of natural beauty, eco-tourism and places of historical importance, the association’s general secretary, Mr Norbert Otieno, said they intend to establish a cultural heritage centre.

“Apart from being used to sell curios, the cultural heritage centre will also be a venue for entertainment showing the history and culture of Lake Victoria basin,” he added.

Already, a slew of activities have been lined up in Kisumu to increase the traffic of tourists to the region.

Its inaugural tourism fair, showcasing attractions in the region, is set to be held in May. The three day Lake Victoria Tourism and Travel Expo that will be held at Jomo Kenyatta Grounds in Kisumu, is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Lake Victoria Tourism Association and the National Forum for Cultural Heritage Promotion.

Exchange ideas

“The expo will provide an opportunity for traders and visitors to exchange ideas in opening up the Western Kenya Tourism Circuit,” said Mr Otieno.

He added that the fair would be an annual event, rotating in different areas within the region.

An international tourism festival, dubbed the Obama Root Fete, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the National Forum for Cultural Heritage Promotion, and a group from Chicago, US, is also planned for later in the year.

Other planned strategies are the preparation of a register of all hotels, tour and travel operators and other general businesses, which will be placed at the airport and other public places for tourists.

Mr Sam Okungu, a tourism consultant, says the region still lags behind in attracting tourists, despite having a huge untapped potential.

“We have not opened up most of the areas in this region,” he said.

He added that the association was a step in the right direction, since tourism associations played a major role in the opening up regions.

“The Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association has helped to expose the coast and draw tourists,” he said.

Mr Okungu, a former deputy director of tourism, said the Mount Kenya Tourism Association had also driven the sector in the region.

The Western Kenya Tourism Circuit, which includes Nyanza and Western provinces and parts of Rift Valley provinces, boasts of attractions such as Thim Lich Ohinga, Simbi Nyaima, Mt Elgon, Kakamega Forest, Ndere Island, Impala, Saiwa Swamp and Ruma national parks.

The newest attraction in the region is Nyangoma Kogelo, the paternal home of US president Barack Obama.

In addition to these, Mr Okungu said, other attractions that have been neglected include the grave of explorer David Hannington in Mumias.

The principal tourism officer in the ministry of Tourism, Mr David Kinyangi, blamed the low tourist traffic to the region on dormancy by the players.

Speaking during the launch, Mr Kinyangi said there was little interest among local practitioners to take part in local and international exhibitions.

Representation

“There is a tourism fair going on in Berlin but there is no representation from this region,” he said. He challenged players to take advantage of such fora to create interest about the region.

Mr Kinyangi said many hotels in the region were yet to be classified for ease of marketing, addeding that the ministry will embark on a standardisation exercise.