By Philip Mwakio

Players in the multi-billion shilling tourism sector want an upward adjustment of budgetary allocation to the industry. This, they say, will help in marketing Kenya. About Sh1.9 billion has been allocated to the Tourism Development and Marketing department, which now falls under the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce, and Tourism.

 A Sh1.6  trillion budget has been drawn up for the financial year 2012/2013.

Last year’s estimates showed that about Sh1.17 billion was allocated to the ministry, which is now a department, compared to Sh1.2 billion given out the previous year as development budget, which includes marketing spend.

Tourism revenues declined two per cent in 2012 from a year earlier amid heightened security concerns. Earnings declined to Sh96 billion from Sh97.9 billion in 2011, while arrivals were little changed at 1.78 million, due to security issues arising from travel advisories.

 The players are now pushing for at least 10 per dent of what the industry generates annually to be ploughed back to be used in marketing magical Kenya destination abroad.  According to the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), the industry has been hugely underfunded.

 “ When you compare the budgetary allocations of our competing destinations, you can easily see that our non-performance has been due to poor funding, which is not corresponding to what we generate to the Kenyan coffers,’’ Sam Ikwaye, KAHC Coast branch executive officer said.

 He added that most of Kenyan’s potential as a tourist destination is unexploited with new tourism circuits like western Kenya and Turkana untapped. 

He added even domestic and regional markets that sustain other destinations are doing badly because marketing budgets remain low.

Tourism hub

Ikwaye said that the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) under the leadership of  Muriithi Ndegwa has demonstrated its ability to succeed despite inadequate funding. He said the Boad  has  moved fast to reposition Kenya in the global tourism map. 

Other players spoke of frustration in repositioning Kenya ahead of its competitors with meager budgetary allocation.

 “We should  be able to get adequate funds to effectively market and help woe many tourists to come and sample what we have to offer as a destination of choice,’’ Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort General Manager, Gomeri Kombo said.

 Ashnil Group of Hotels Sales and Marketing Manager, Paul Kurgat said tourism is the goose that lays the golden egg for the economy.

 “When we talk of additional funding, it is purely for marketing. The private sector and other investors have played a huge part and continue to do as far as having the right products in place. Let there be enough funds to market,’’ Kurgat said.