Nairobi: The Kenyan state department for tourism is aiming to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the country’s tourism sector by devising innovative strategies to tackle its challenges. For instance, the sector faces challenges such as health issues, safety and security concerns, climate change impacts, inadequate infrastructure, and technological advancements.
According to Kenya News Agency, it is against this backdrop that the National Tourism Policy, 2024 (draft) has been prepared and is currently undergoing public participation across the country. The policy aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, synergy, partnerships, and participation in the tourism sector by all levels of government and all stakeholders.
Besides, the policy seeks to promote and support the provision of incentives and other economic instruments that enhance investment in the sector. Speaking during a public participation forum for the policy in Garissa, David Kinyangi, a director at the state department of tourism, said that the department is trying to realign the activities in the tourism sector to be in tandem with the emerging issues in the sector.
“The policy has highlighted several issues, which are very important, and if implemented, they are going to make the sector prosper. We have discussed issues pertaining to product development, tourism investment and finance, tourism promotion and marketing, and capacity building training,” Kinyangi said.
Furthermore, the policy will look at tourism research and the tourism enablers, which are other incentives to enable the sector to thrive. The other key issues in the draft policy include enhancing economic development, environmental sustainability, encouraging community participation, and providing a legal and institutional framework for effective coordination and management of tourism.