Kenya Utalii College hosted a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week who were in the country on a follow-up visit. This following the Government’s effort to secure 100,000 jobs for the youth in various sectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The visit, whose main aim was to assess the college’s contribution to the local and global hospitality and tourism industry, is a follow-up to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s trip to the Gulf country last year. Utalii College Principal Dr Kenneth Ombongi said the institution is at the forefront in promoting professionalism within the industry, both locally and internationally.
He was speaking during a meeting with the visitors, who were accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. “We have been in existence for almost half a century now with a strong and vibrant 60,000 alumni network to show for it,” said Dr Ombongi.
“Out of this number 60 per cent ply their trade in Africa while another 20 per cent work in the Americas. The remaining 20 per cent are based in Asia, the continent that is home to the UAE.” The visit comes three days after the Government launched the Kenya Foreign and Diaspora Policy and okayed bid to continue signing bilateral agreements with foreign countries to protect Kenyans working in the diaspora. He said the visit by a delegation from the UAE is a clear indication that Kenya Utalii College is instrumental in shaping the economic future of the country.
Ombongi, who is Vice President of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is next week expected to travel to Madrid, Spain, where he will promote Kenya as a shopping destination.
“During the board meeting we shall put forward our proposal to promote Kenya as a shopping destination to other African countries and especially Nigeria,” he said.
“We are alive to the fact that shopping is an emerging trend in Africa and as key stakeholders, we are keen on embracing the new opportunities it presents,” said Ombongi, adding that shopping is one of the major categories of tourists’ expenditure. According to the Global Report on Shopping Tourism, May 2014, shopping is one of the principal motivations for travelling.
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