KTB official appointed to global tourism forum board

A Kenyan tourism official has been appointed as an advisory board member of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne, based in Switzerland.

Kenya Tourism Board marketing director Jacinta Nzioka, 42, becomes the 24th member and the first representative from Africa in the global tourism organisation’s advisory board.

A statement from World Tourism Forum Lucerne says: “After a detailed talent search process, Jacinta Nzioka from Kenya has just been appointed to the advisory board.”

The global organisation described Ms Nzioka as a marketing official with excellent knowledge in tourism marketing and that she was highly experienced in the field of community-based tourism and sustainable development.

“Through the expertise and know-how from our members, we ensure that the Forum is always in touch with the changing times, said the Advisory Board’s chairman Reto Wittwer.

“It is due to the commitment and networking excellence of the members that the Forum has been able to position itself as a global relevant tourism platform,” he added.

The members of the international advisory board represent a wide range of travel and tourism sectors.

The multi-sectorial make-up ensures that emerging destinations also have their place in the Forum as well as global concerns and locally-based service providers.

On Sunday, Ms Nzioka thanked the World Tourism Forum Lucerne for appointing her to the advisory board as the first representative from the African continent.

The KTB official said: “I am elated over the appointment, as it’s not only a great honour to me and my country, but for the whole African continent.

“I had to overcome fierce competition from two others from Southern Africa and West Africa who had been shortlisted for the advisory board slot.”

The KTB marketing director said she will represent Africa in the forum in tourism matters to ensure the continent has a voice in global tourism issues.

“Tourism plays a big part in our economies and can easily turn around lives of communities, help create jobs and economic growth,” she said.

“Women in tourism on the continent will be my key agenda. Protecting our resources in Africa is key for sustainable tourism,” she said.

Ms Nzioka served on acting capacity as the marketing director of KTB from 2013 to April last year when she was officially confirmed by the government on that position.