Increased security spend to boost tourism says CS Kandie

A waiter walks past empty sun-beds at Mombasa Beach Hotel on March 9, 2015. The tourism cabinet secretary Phyllis Kandie expects the increased budgetary funding for security to boost recovery in the tourism sector. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI  

In Summary

• In the 2015/16 financial year, Sh200 billion was allocated to the various agencies, with the Kenya Defence Forces, getting Sh13.6 billion more.
• “With this platform, among other strategies we are putting in place, we shall be able to reach out a big number of potential tourists without challenges of language barrier,” said Mr Ndegwa.

By YVONE KAWIRA
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The tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie expects the increased budgetary funding for security to boost recovery in the tourism sector.

In a speech read on her behalf by Tourism Secretary Dr Anne Kinyua, Mrs Kandie has said the efforts will go a long way in improving the brand equity of the country.

In the 2015/16 financial year, Sh200 billion was allocated to the various agencies, with the Kenya Defence Forces, getting Sh13.6 billion more.

The Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, was allocated Sh102.5 billion in 2015/16, up from Sh92.9 billion in the previous budget.

"In order to rehabilitate the industry, I am proposing to allocate in the budget for FY 2015/16, Sh5.2 billion for tourism recovery," said Mr Rotich in the Budget speech.

Ms Kinyua was speaking at the launch of the Magical Kenya website in Italy.

According to Ms Kandie, the Italian market remains a key source market and those reassurance campaigns, enhanced joint marketing are among the strategies aimed at recovering the market.

LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said the launch of the Magical Kenya website translated into Italian was one of the ways of creating top of mind awareness of destination Kenya among the Italians.

“With this platform, among other strategies we are putting in place, we shall be able to reach out a big number of potential tourists without challenges of language barrier,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Security challenges have been cited as a major challenge to the growth of the sector with negative travel advisories leading to withdrawal of charters and eventual loss of jobs in the sector.

But on Tuesday Mrs Kandie expressed her optimism that the seriousness given to the tackling of insecurity, improvement of infrastructure and the lineup of international conferences to be held in Kenya would put Kenya in the recovery trajectory.