Tourism key to our economy, says Mudavadi

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By PHILIP MWAKIO

Kenya will continue to subscribe to and support activities of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi has disclosed.

Speaking at the Fort Jesus Museum, Mombasa during  a function for the 90th session of the UNWTO Executive council meeting which started yesterday, Mudavadi said that UNWTO has been instrumental in  offering member states  guidance in terms of tourism policy , market competitiveness and dealing with environmental  challenges.

 “As we are all aware, tourism has for many years been recognised as a major economic  sector in  a host of host nations, Kenya included. Tourism is a leading source of  foreign exchange  earnings and its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product  and employment cannot be gainsaid,’’ he said.

 The Local Government Minister reiterated that  tourism remains the hope of the future for many  developing  countries  given that agriculture  which has been the mainstay  economic activity  is facing adverse effects of climate change.

 He pointed out that in the face of environmental challenges , nations need to comer up with common approaches to sustainable tourism .

 “ We should try and embrace tourism that offers clients  the best products  possible in the context of sound environmental management,’’ he added.

 Despite the many challenges that have continued to dog the hospitality industry , he conceded that  they have been encouraged  by recent trends in tourism  growth.

 Kenyan tourism, Mudavadi pointed out, registered a remarkable  growth in 2010 recording an approximate 15 per cent growth in terms of tourist arrivals compared to 2009. Earnings generated out of tourism receipts reached  sh 73.7 billion.

The World Tourism Organisation is  the leading international organisation in the field of tourism.

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