Gachagua lauds Ruto for ‘increase in tourists’
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while speaking at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Taxpayers Day event in Mombasa, encouraged urban Kenyans to return to their hometowns and offer their houses to tourists.
He emphasized that Kenya’s tourism industry was on the rise, attributing it to the country’s improved international reputation and recovery from the challenges posed by COVID-19.
He suggested that city dwellers should travel to their hometowns and make their houses available for tourists. Gachagua’s remarks were rooted in the belief that Kenya’s tourism sector was making a significant comeback after facing considerable challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Because of anchoring the country properly on the international stage. Kenya is now the destination of choice for investors and tourists and coming from the COVID challenge where our tourism sector almost came down,” the DP said
The Deputy President emphasized the positive international image Kenya had cultivated, which had positioned the country as the preferred destination for both investors and tourists. He acknowledged the hardships the tourism industry had faced during the height of the pandemic and highlighted the remarkable recovery it had experienced since then.
Furthermore, Gachagua pointed out that the surge in tourism was so significant that hotel rooms in popular destinations like Mombasa and Maasai Mara were already fully booked until February 2024. This news was undoubtedly a promising sign for the local economy and the livelihoods of those involved in the tourism sector.
Playfully, Deputy President Gachagua humorously suggested that anyone who had not secured a hotel room for Christmas in these bustling destinations might consider spending the holidays in their ancestral villages. This lighthearted comment captured the essence of his message: the tourism industry was thriving, and everyone was welcome to partake in the festivities, whether in the cities or the tranquil countryside.
“I want today authoritatively to inform the people of Kenya that tourism has picked up for a good turn and as we speak today all hotel rooms in Mombasa, Maasai Mara have been booked up to February next year. So, anybody who wants to travel to Mombasa for Christmas and you have not booked your room you just have to go to your village and relax there with your ancestors,” he said.
Gachagua’s unique call to action had a dual purpose. It not only encouraged Kenyans to engage in the tourism boom but also showcased the warm and hospitable nature of the country’s people, inviting travelers to experience the authentic culture and beauty of Kenyan village life. This message not only painted a picture of a flourishing tourism industry but also highlighted the importance of embracing one’s roots and sharing the nation’s charms with the world.
Also read: Milly Chebby shares baby number two concerns
Ruto to address National Assembly, Senate amid high cost of living