Vihiga to host Sh100m Miss Tourism pageant next month

Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga with Kakamega’s Fay Nga during the Miss Tourism Kenya launch in August, 2015. The event aimed to boost talents and culture and local tourism. (PHOTO: CHRISPEN SECHERE/ STANDARD)

Vihiga County is all set to host the national  Miss Tourism event.

The pageant, with the theme, ‘Exploring our cultural heritage for social and economic development of our people’ will run from June 15 to 18. The Sh100 million event is expected to bring together 5,000 delegates.

The county government will benefit immensely as the event will help it promote its tourist attractions.  

Mrs Elizabeth Akaranga, the county’s First Lady and who is also Miss Tourism Patron, said the county was up to the task.  

“It is a great honour and respect to the rural county of Vihiga to be given the rights to host such an important event. I therefore want to thank the Miss Tourism Kenya national office for the confidence they have in us,” she said.

Biggest beneficiaries

She added: “I am aware that the journey towards hosting an event of such magnitude is tough. I am calling upon the county government, corporate organisations and other partners to join hands in sponsoring the event to make it a success”.

Executive member in-charge of Tourism Ebby Omido noted that they have put in place strong committees, both at the county and Nairobi, to raise money for the event.

She observed that residents stand to benefit immensely  from hosting the event, especially when potential tourists see some of the attractions that county has. It is for this reason that Omido urged the business community to sponsor the event, noting that the publicity they will receive was good for business. Omido asked residents to join hands in welcoming guests for the event so that visitors can have a positive lasting impression of the county.