Kenya to boost tourism ties with Nigeria

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie is rooting for increased tourism and trade between Kenya and Nigeria.

Kandie told a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja, Nigeria that Kenya was keen to explore diverse prospects in trade, tourism and investment in both countries which would lead to increased tourism volumes between the two States.

“We hope to promote and enhance intra-African trade and create employment opportunities and as a result raise our people’s living standards,” the CS said, adding that each country has a lot to offer.

At the same time, she reiterated the need for stakeholders to learn the dynamics of doing business in each country and forging of partnerships for future collaboration that would lead to concluding of viable business deals.

The Cabinet secretary said Kenya-Nigeria business ties have been in existence for a long time, adding that the total bilateral trade increased from US$26.18 million to US$48.26 million in 2008 before declining to US$36.16 million in 2012.

The CS said: “This is as a result of lack of preferential market access arrangements between the two nations. However, opportunities exist and such meetings provide a great platform to create and expand linkages, build new alliances and partnerships as well as create business contacts which will help us increase trade, tourism and investment.”

Kandie said similarly, the tourists’ traffic from Nigeria to Kenya has declined in recent years.

She said the number of Nigerian visitors to Kenya decreased from 16,801 in 2011 to 15,029 in 2012 to 13,850 last year, adding that the figures for the first and second quarters of 2014 are impressive compared to last year.

Regional market

“We are optimistic that our heightened promotional efforts in this market as well as the introduction of direct flights to Abuja by national carrier Kenya Airways in addition to the Lagos route, tourism traffic between the two countries will increase,” said Kandie.

She said Kenya is a leading tourism destination in the region, boasting an abundance of attractions that range from rich wildlife, serene beaches, diverse cultures, world-class convention facilities, popular sporting tourism destinations and very hospitable people.

“I am aware Nigeria has its wealth in tourism attractions including a well developed film industry,” she said.

Kandie said to cushion the volatile tourism sector from uncertainties in the international market, Africa should focus on the regional market.