The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Tourism John Ololtuaa has announced the government’s plans to roll out a national hotel classification programme to attract more tourists.
In 2009, the East African Community (EAC) developed common classification criteria to standardise accommodation facilities in the region bloc.
The EAC criteria cover town and vacation hotels, lodges, tented camps, motels, villas, cottages and serviced apartments.
Speaking in Diani, Kwale during the 20th symposium for the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), PS Ololtuaa stated that the programme to classify all hotels would be done in the financial year 2024/2025.
“Classification is essential because it gives you (hotels) the mark of quality and makes it easy for those visiting the country to be able to know what we have,” said PS Ololtuaa.
He lauded the tourism players for job creation which he noted has a ripple effect on the economy and has led to growth in the tourism sector as witnessed in the number of accommodation establishments being opened.
“In tourism that is a plus because for us to be able to attract international and domestic tourists, there must be proper accommodation and conference facilities that they are going to use,” said PS Ololtuaa, encouraging investors to invest in the country to contribute to the growth of the economy.
The PS noted that tourism has recorded a significant growth from 2022 when 1.4 million tourists visited the country and earned the country Sh268 billion.
“Currently, we are at about 2 million but our aim and focus is to grow the number of tourists from the current 2 million to probably 3 million by the end of this year and by 2027 to 5 million tourists,” said the PS for Tourism.
He added that it’s achievable since tourism is private-sector driven and when the country has investors coming to invest in different sectors of the economy, “that alone will become a very big impetus to be able to attract more tourists”.
The PS said the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) would work with Kenyans in the diaspora to be the champions of inviting the world to visit the country.
The PS further revealed that they have unveiled a programme with County Governments to develop unique tourist attraction sites in the counties.
The PS assured Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani of the government’s commitment to supporting the construction of a convention centre.
The State Department of Tourism is working with other State Departments in the development of infrastructure and legislation in a bid to provide a conducive environment for investments and tourism.
On her part, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said they have invested heavily in developing Kwale as a prime tourist destination through the opening up of beach access roads, construction of washrooms, and pedestrian walkways and enhancement of beach safety through the employment of Lifeguards and Tourism Enforcement Officers.
“I wish to acknowledge the National Government in putting efforts to support the growth of the tourism sector in the county through expansion of Ukunda Airport, tarmacking of Kinango-Kwale road and construction of the Dongo Kundu bypass about 95 per cent done,” she said.
The establishment of a Conference and Cultural Centre christened Bomas of Kwale is one of Governor Achani’s flagship projects.
“We also intend to put up a tourist market in Diani. In addition, we are optimistic in developing Kongo Beach into a Halal Beach to boost religious Tourism,” she added.
KAHC Chairman Chris Musau extolled the government for Sh4.9 billion to the Tourism Fund and 2.2 billion to the Tourism Promotion Fund in the 2024/2025 budget that was returned to parliament by the Head State.
Musau said though the tourism sector showed robust performance, the government should increase the air capacity to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport and construction of convention centres in Nairobi and Mombasa.
By Sadik Hassan
