Tourism players urged to embrace Internet to grow their business

By Fredrick Obura

The Government is urging players in the tourism sector to invest in modern technology to boost the country’s tourism revenue.

Tourism minister, Najib Balala, said strategic investment in Information Technology and online marketing were the best bet to ensure growth and future sustainability of the country’s tourism.

In remarks read on his behalf by his assistant minister, Cecily Mbarire, Balala said online tourism was taking the world by storm, and Kenya should tap into the revenues generated from the new channel.

"Despite enormous investment the government has made in improving the technical infrastructure, tourism sector and supporting institutions like banks are not embracing technology," she said.

She urged tour firms and marketing bodies to use social sites like Facebook and Twitter to promote local tourism and boost revenue.

"We need to use these networks and channels to promote our businesses and to create platforms for our tourists to share their experiences in Kenya with the rest of the world," the minister said in the statement.

Travel is estimated to be the number one selling commodity online, generating over $130 billion annually.

"It is vital that the tourism sector in Kenya and the rest of Africa becomes aware of the vast online opportunities for business. Over 70 per cent of young professionals rely on the Internet to research and book their holidays," said Mr Damian Cook, CEO E-Tourism Frontiers.

Previously, there was very little information on to the travel trade in Africa, what players should do to maximise their online presence.

The minister was speaking at the ongoing second e-tourism conference in Nairobi, a two-day event bringing together tourism stakeholders from across the world.

The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in partnership with South Africa’s Nights Bridge an IT company took the opportunity to announce a partnership in launching Kenya’s first online payment platform targeting the tourism industry.