Hoteliers take a hit over town status

Tourism CS Najib Balala is received by Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr. Eric Korir during during the Nakuru County Tourism Association meeting at Enashipai resort in Naivasha. [Photo: Standard]

The Tourism ministry wants the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review its decision to downgrade the status of Naivasha town.

The move comes following an outcry from hoteliers in the lake side town who said the downgrade had seen the number of government workshops drop thus incurring losses.

Previously Naivasha was at the same level with Mombasa and Kisumu where allowances paid to government workers attending conferences and workshops was the same. Addressing the press after a meeting with Nakuru County Tourism Association members in Naivasha yesterday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said he had written to SRC over the issue.

Mr Balala said government conferences and meetings had shifted to Mombasa and Kisumu.

“I have heard that previously this town was a beehive of activities in meetings, but the move has affected hoteliers but we have taken the issue with SRC,” he said.

He added that the ministry would come up with a strategic plan that will brand Naivasha as a key tourist destination.

“We will no longer sell the parks and lakes here alone, but brand Naivasha as a key destination just like we did in Diani in Kwale County and Malindi in Kilifi county,” he added.

He said products on offer for tourists in the Rift Valley would be consolidated so that those visiting will have an array of adventures. Nakuru Deputy Governor Eric Korir on his part welcomed the move by the CS to intervene and resolve issue of status of Naivasha town.

“We are rehabilitating our roads and we are glad that the number of local and international visitors is on the increase in all the parks,” he said.