We’re hiring! Alfred Mutua unveils Tourism sector blueprint
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform the region’s tourism appeal.
Dr. Mutua outlined an ambitious plan to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts through fencing strategies, education campaigns, and an improved rapid response system.
“I’m about to embark on a very ambitious program to fence animals in and fence people out, without affecting corridors. So we are going to advertise soon, and then next year we will begin fencing which will reduce the human and wildlife conflict.”
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He emphasized; “We have realized a lot of elephants and other wild animals kill and harm people, so basically because of the growing population and many wild animals living among us it’s been very difficult keeping them away. We have three parts of the program; one is an education campaign, teaching people how to live with wildlife. The second is improving our rapid response system. We are hiring an additional 1500 wildlife service officers who will cover more places so that there is a rapid response system. The third is improving the fencing program. At times we just need to keep the elephants on their side. We will put up sign boards to alert people of the demarcations.”
During the East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) and the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Dr. Mutua passionately advocated for a paradigm shift in the industry’s marketing tactics and visitor experiences.
Highlighting the untapped potential of East Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and cultural richness, Dr. Mutua emphasized the urgent need for a cohesive effort among regional countries to reimagine their marketing strategies. He introduced innovative tourism circuits spanning sports, food, and climate change, aiming to showcase lesser-known attractions like unique geological anomalies.
“We have an array of hidden treasures waiting to be unveiled, from gravity-defying hills to vibrant cultures. It’s time to globally showcase the wonders of East Africa,” Dr. Mutua affirmed.
Beyond improved marketing, Dr. Mutua stressed the importance of enhancing services and broadening tourist offerings to align with modern travelers’ evolving expectations. His vision encompasses immersive experiences that transcend iconic landscapes, encouraging visitors to engage deeply with local communities and cultures.
The initiative includes plans for joint marketing strategies among regional tourism ministers and the creation of an encompassing tourism circuit spanning the entire East African region. A new logo, “Visit East Africa, Feel the Vibe,” encapsulates the essence of the region’s allure as a tourist destination.
Addressing critical issues hindering tourism growth, Dr. Mutua emphasized the necessity of better connectivity, heightened security measures, and improved health facilities. His directives include the installation of facilities like toilets in national parks and equipping tourist hotels with defibrillators to ensure visitor safety and comfort.
His commitment to refining systems for faster fund processing within 1-3 months reflects an earnest approach toward overcoming existing challenges in the sector.
Dr. Mutua revealed the ministry’s budget allocations and efforts to source additional funding from the National Treasury, addressing a backlog in compensation bills for human-wildlife conflict victims up to 2020 and planning for future cases.