PS promises to promote health, sports tourism

Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa (pictured) has promised to promote sports and medical tourism to generate more revenue.

Ololtuaa noted that Kenya was not doing well in tourism despite huge potential. He blamed the situation on the failure to implement policies to boost the sector.

The PS promised to market the country as a preferred tourist destination through the brand, Magical Kenya, as well as deploy digital marketing on social media platforms. He said he is very passionate about tourism coming from the Maa community which values the sector.

"We are also going to use various social media platforms to market the tourism sector by coming up with a one-touch application whereby when you tap it you are able to see our tourist sites and what they offer so that those visiting can make a choice on a place to tour," said Ololtuaa.

Ololtuaa said he will also involve sportsmen to market the country as a preferred tourist destination which serves as a training ground for world-class athletes.

The PS revealed that he will partner with referral hospitals and top private hospitals to have their wealthy patients visit game parks as they recuperate, an area he said has not been explored in Kenya while it was popular in other countries.

He said that once he settles in office he will map out all 47 counties to establish tourism sites and ensure that they are well marketed so as to attract local and international tourists.

"We are also going to revive government-owned hotel facilities to assist in terms of conference facilities which is an element of tourism through a public-private partnership, these government-owned entities were known to offer quality service at affordable rates in the past," said Ololtuaa.

The PS promised to work with sector players to have Mombasa regain its glory as a preferred tourist destination in East Africa. He noted that the region has seen tourist numbers reduce due to Covid-19, insecurity and travel advisories issued by other countries.

"I promise to do what I can to restore Mombasa city as the preferred tourist destination in the East Africa region and will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved during my tenure as Tourism Principal Secretary," said Ololtuaa.

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