Ministry asks for share of 2007 tourism income
The Source: www.nation.co.ke/business/news - 21/04/2009
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The Ministry of Tourism wants Treasury to give
it five per cent of what the sector generated in 2007 for its promotion and marketing strategies. Minister Najib Balala said that what the government was giving for promotional campaigns was too little to make substantive impact.“Our competitors like Egypt spend $100 million, South Africa $70 million and a small country like Tunisia $48 million while Kenya falls far below these figures,” he said in Mombasa during an interview. Mr Balala said that 5 per cent of the 2007 earnings would give the ministry $40.6 million (Sh3.25 billion). With this cash, the minister projected that 2010 could be the year the country turns round its tourism sector to surpass or reflect the boon of 2005/2007. Between this period (2005/2007) the industry generated about Sh4 billion a month to the economy ahead of tea and horticulture, making it the highest foreign exchange earner for Kenya. Mr Balala expressed concern that whenever there were government financial cut downs, Treasury turns to Tourism, Culture, Sports or Youth funds which, he said, suffered the most. “What the Treasury does not understand is that without these, the other sectors will not be able to raise the economy. Tourism is the best investment to transform the economy of this country,” he said.
National heritage,
The minister explained that cultural tourism has a 37 per cent growth internationally adding that Kenya should not ignore this by denying its national heritage and monuments financial resources. “Today’s tourists do not just want to come, sit on the beach and do nothing for two weeks. They see the wildlife once, twice or three times and then what happens?” he posed saying people want to be interactive in terms of history, language or culture.To make Kenya a family destination, Mr Balala said the government had reduced visa charges by 50 per cent from $50 to $25 and waived the same for children.The minister praised the Finance ministry for this move saying it would be an impetus for the September/December high season in the cou“People should know that for every tourist who visits this country, three Kenyans are employed either directly or indirectly,” he said.Meanwhile, the National Museums of Kenya Coastal region assistant director Athman Hussein Athman said post-election violence adversely affected gate collections from its five historical sites.Most recorded lower numbers of visitors last year compared to 2007 for both residents and non-residents.“From Gede, Fort Jesus, Malindi, Lamu to Mnarani Ruins, we recorded lower turnout due to what happened after the General Election,” he said during an interview in his office. Mr Athman said NMK has plans to open more sites in Malindi to diversify its products range
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