Budget allocation rekindles hope for tourism revival

Tourism is breathing a sigh of relief after the government committed Sh4.5 billion for promotion activities in the 2016/2017 financial year.

At the same time, international wildlife enthusiasts are among those to benefit from the allocation after the government waived Value Added Tax charged on park entry fees.

The move will go a long way in attracting visitors to the country’s parks and game reserves.

Tourism stakeholders had been lobbying the government to allocate more funds for marketing the country abroad to attract more international holiday makers.

On Wednesday, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said in his budget speech that the government had allocated the Sh4.5 billion to source markets to bolster recovery in tourism.

The industry has been through rough times in recent years due to terrorism and subsequent travel advisories from Kenya’s main source markets.

Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman Mohamed Hersi said the allocation was welcome and necessary if it is to thrive again.

He said the substantial funding would boost the country’s marketing activities in both traditional and emerging markets to woo more visitors.

Over the years, he added, the Kenya Tourism Board used to be allocated only Sh500 million for marketing, adding that the extra funding would make the agency intensify its campaigns.

The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye called for prudent use of the money.

He called on the Ministry of Tourism and the KTB to target markets which favour Kenya for the country to attract more international tourists.

Mr Ikwaye proposed that part of the money be allocated to the Tourism Finance Corporation to facilitate affordable loans to hotel owners to enable them refurbish their facilities.