Sovereign Hotel managing director John Legebeke (left) and Kisumu County
Tourism Minister Achi Alai at a recent media briefing. PHOTO | TONNY
OMONDI | NMG
Summary
- Industry players have embarked on a new initiative to open up western Kenya to tourism opportunities.
- Over 15 hoteliers Tuesday said they plan to sell the western Kenya to more local and foreign visitors as part of an income diversification strategy from conference tourism which has been the mainstay of hotels in the region.
- A five-day familiarisation tour of the region started in Nairobi Tuesday.
Key players in the hospitality industry have embarked on a new initiative to open up western Kenya to tourism opportunities.
The
first step in marketing the region's tourist attractions was taken
yesterday when more than 40 tourism promoters, travel agencies and other
players in the sector embarked on a tour of the region.
The
initiative, known as ‘WE’stern Kenya,’ has also won the backing of
community organisations hoping to leverage on an increase in tourism
numbers in the region, which comprises Nyanza, Western and parts of the
South Rift.
Although driven by the private sector, the initiative also
enjoys backing from county governments, including the the Lake Region
Economic Bloc, whose 14 governors are keen on opening up the region for
tourism. The bloc's CEO,Abala Wanga, said the leisure segment has been
dormant and needs to be revived.
"The western tourism
circuit has great potential that is yet to be tapped," said Mr Wanga at
Dunga beach alongside 14 hoteliers in Kisumu.
Western
Kenya is well served by a network of new roads and and four airlines,
making it easily accessible for tourists. Plans are under way to open
the Kisumu International Airport to more regional airlines.
Foreign visitors
Over
15 hoteliers Tuesday said they plan to sell the western Kenya to more
local and foreign visitors as part of an income diversification strategy
from conference tourism which has been the mainstay of hotels in the
region.
A five-day familiarisation tour of the region started in Nairobi Tuesday.
The
initiative’s interim chairman, Ouma Oluoko, said western Kenya has a
diversification of tourist attractions that remain untapped, but if
exploited could give the dorminant Coastal tourism circuit a run for its
money.
From the rich birdlife in Ruma National Park,
the only place in Kenya where visitors also get to see the Roan
antelope, the rare Oribi antelope and the Jackson’s Hertebeest to the
boat rides, the region has a lot more to offer than the scenic sunsets
on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Ojina.
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