Sirisia MP John Waluke. PHOTO/UGC.
By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Sirisia MP John Waluke has requested an announcement from the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife concerning the declining efficiency of Kenya’s tourism sector.
Mr Waluke emphasised that tourism is a crucial sector, considerably contributing to Kenya’s Gross Home Product (GDP), employment, and international alternate earnings.
Nonetheless, he famous that the sector has just lately skilled a decline, marked by diminished worldwide vacationer arrivals and expenditure.
Mr Waluke identified that neighbouring international locations, together with Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, have surpassed Kenya in attracting vacationers as a consequence of extra aggressive pricing, equivalent to decrease park charges, and enhanced infrastructure growth.
He highlighted that prime park charges in Kenya are a serious deterrent for potential vacationers, particularly when in comparison with comparable locations within the area.
This development, he argued, undermines Kenya’s means to compete as a number one vacationer vacation spot, affecting income, livelihoods, and conservation of its distinctive biodiversity.
In opposition to this backdrop, Mr Waluke sought an announcement from the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife.
He requested data on comparative tourism insurance policies, pricing fashions, and advertising approaches utilized by neighboring international locations in East Africa and different world leaders in tourism.
Moreover, he requested the committee to clarify the influence of the decline within the tourism trade on the economic system, medium, small, and micro enterprises working within the sector, native communities, and conservation efforts.
Mr Waluke additionally inquired about sustainable measures in place to reverse the tourism decline and place Kenya competitively as a premier vacationer vacation spot. His request for an announcement was made pursuant to Standing Order 44(2).
Nonetheless, at the same time as Mr Waluke is requesting for an announcement from the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife over the decline within the tourism sector, there have been contradicting stories about Kenya’s tourism sector.
Whereas some stories point out that Kenya’s tourism trade is declining, others point out the sector is definitely recovering properly from the COVID-19 pandemic, with projections of great progress in vacationer arrivals and earnings by 2025.
