Kenya to leverage on technology to promote tourism

Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has said that East African Governments were leveraging on technology to remove hurdles in the promotion of tourism in the region.

 He said the government of Kenya had instructed the department of immigration in liaison with Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism to issue visas online to ease travel of foreigners to the country.

 The DP was speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre when he officiated at the opening of the 40th. Conference of the Africa Travel Association (ATA).

 Mr. Ruto noted that the decision to issue a single visa for visitors coming to Kenya. Uganda and Rwanda was a milestone in promoting the three countries as a single tourism destination.

 Said the DP: “We are leveraging on technology to market the region as a single destination with diverse tourist attractions, and I assure our visitors that we will make it worth their while.”

 The DP noted that efforts put into the promotion of tourism in Kenya were bearing fruit adding that the 1.13 million arrivals in the country last year represented a   5% growth as compared to the previous year.

 “International investors have nothing to fear about their investments because they are assured of very high returns on their investments,” said Mr. Ruto.

 He said Kenya had many positive attributes that assured investors of the security and growth of their investments noting that the country had recently been rated as the 7th fastest growing economy in the world.

 Said Mr. Ruto: “Kenya is the 3rd. most improved economy in Africa, has sound investment environment and a young, dynamic educated population that guarantees investors high returns on their investments.”

 The DP emphasized that Kenya and Africa in general had many positive developments to be proud of adding it was preposterous therefore for the naysayers to dwell on negative aspects in the continent and ignore the positive attributes.

 Speaking at the function Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie said the conference would discuss matters concerning trade, marketing, product diversity, investment in the tourism sector and future of tourism in Africa.

 She said: “The traction from the business contacts at the conference are expected to grow tourism in the region and the continent.”

 The CS pointed out that Kenya had overcome most of the challenges she was facing that gave a negative perception of the country saying the tourists visiting the country would enjoy an experience they have never had.

 The Executive Director of Africa Travel Association Mr. Eddie Bergman lauded Kenya for hosting the conference every decade since its inception 40 years ago noting the gesture had gone a long way in promoting tourism in Africa.

 He said ATA will continue partnering with governments and other players in the tourism industry in Africa to further promote tourism on the continent.

 Mr. Bergman who is based in the US said he looked forward to having direct flights between America and Kenya adding the flights would help ease movement of people between the two countries.   “This would be a positive development towards the promotion of tourism in Kenya and Africa at large,” he added.