Slow reforms pace hurting tourism gains

By Anne Kanina

Tourism Minister Najib Balala says the slow pace of reforms has slowed down growth in the sector.

Mr Balala said lack of police reforms had continuously led to threats on security.

"The biggest challenge in marketing Kenya in our various diplomatic commitments remains insecurity," he said.

The minister said Kenya stood out as a great tourism package but insecurity was a major deterrent.

Balala said leaders should speed up the reform agenda without waiting for the international community to pile pressure through threats of sanctions.

Kenya, he said, needed visionary leadership to surmount economic challenges and retain glory as tourism giant. Balala spoke during a ceremony at the Kenya Utalii College during which 351 students graduate.

He warned against bureaucracy that kills dreams of institutions and students.

Tourism Assistant Minister Cecile Mbarire said though Kenya lowered its visa cost by 50 per cent, it was still a long way behind other African countries in terms of arrivals.

"When we halved the visa cost, some quotas in the country were unhappy but we forget that in South Africa, the cost is even much lower," said Mbarire.

She recently returned from a tour to market Kenya in Moscow, France and Japan and attended a business council summit in Washington DC.