New tourism Secretary Phyllis Kandie outlines ministry’s recovery plans

By Macharia Kamau

NAIROBI, KENYA: The new Tourism Cabinet Secretary has detailed plans that could see the ministry  hasten recovery.

These include putting in place functional boards in State run tourism agencies, implementing the Tourism Act of 2012 and a new national tourism strategy that will look into funding to revitalise tourism.

Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism said the tourism parastatals will get functional boards in a matter of days. This, she says will enable the Corporation resume normal duties.

Corporations housed by the ministry have been without boards of directors for almost a year, following the wholesale sacking of board members by former Tourism Minister Dan Mwazo. Mwazo said the firing was in line with the new Tourism Act.

The dysfunctional boards have seen the agencies have to slow down on some of their projects, as there are points, which need approval by the boards. Kandie said putting the boards in place was part of her ten-point plan that is expected to breathe life into the industry that went through a rough 2012 that saw earnings and tourist arrivals dip.

Other areas that she will prioritse include upgrade of infrastructure in tourism circuits – key among these being the road between Narok and Masai Mara as well as the road from Moi International Airport in Mombasa to Diani.

“I have come up with a ten point plant highlighting the areas that we shall prioritise going forward,” said Kandie at a meeting with tourism industry players.  “These include streamlining the boards of State corporations in tourism, hastening the implementation of the Tourism Act and setting up a tourism market recovery programme to recover Kenya’s lost market share in tourism.”

She said the ministry would draw up a national tourism strategy to explore ways of sourcing  more funds to market the country as a tourist destination. Others were mapping out areas in need of new tourist facilities that have potential for return on investment to guide investors.

The strategy will also evaluate the tourism product and look into ways of deepening the diversification that the industry has already embarked on as well as re-look at the traditional attractions especially the beach product. “The national tourism strategy is at the moment being crafted and will be in place in the next few months,” said Kandie.

Kandie noted she would use her networks in the financial services sector to source for funds as well as interest investors in the opportunities available in the tourism industry.

Other priority  areas include  upgrading of infrastructure in tourism circuits, partnering with other ministries in managing poaching and dealing with rogue operators in the industry.