An initiative by local firms to promote local tourism has received a shot in the arm after a partnership with two local health-centric sponsors.
The Tembea Tujenge Kenya project sensitising Kenyans on domestic tourism has now partnered with insurance provider Madison Group and emergency services responder St John's Ambulance.
Under the deal, Madison Group will provide medical cover for all the Tembea Tujenge Kenya team and their loved ones while St John's Ambulance will provide emergency services.
The latest deal seeks to ensure the safety of the Tembea Tujenge Kenya team, an initiative of some top brands aimed at boosting local tourism, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic.
On Friday, the TTK ambassador and popular radio presenter Maina Kageni said the sponsorship from Madison Group and St John's Ambulance will ensure there are no worries for the team when travelling.
“We are entering the grand finale of our first year of the Tembea Tujenge Kenya and we are happy with the progress we have made today that has brought onboard new partners,” Kageni said.
He said for the last year, the TTK initiative has travelled to major tourism destinations across the country and lobbied for local tourism, a process that he said has enabled businesses to recover.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected domestic tourism but we are determined to revive the sector by encouraging Kenyans to join us in our campaign,” Kageni said at Shell Lavington.
Over the weekend, the team travelled to Isiolo where they were marketing local tourism sites in the county in the fourth quarter of the TTK which was launched last year.
Isuzu regional sales manager Charles Kinuthia said the firm is ready to support the government and private initiatives to revive domestic tourism during this pandemic period.
"Our company has played a key role in supporting domestic tourism by popularising Kenya's tourism destinations,” Kinuthia said.
He said tourism and hospitality sector has gone through tough economic times in the last 18 months due to Covid-19 with travel restrictions, social distancing and threats of severe illness.
“These have caused a major disruption in sectors that feed or rely on tourism like air and road transport to which Isuzu is a major player in the region,” Kinuthia said.
The TTK initiative is supported by major brands including Isuzu East Africa, Shell/Vivo Energy, Sarova Hotels, Tourism Fund, Safaricom and now Madison Insurance and St John’s Ambulance.
The next destinations for the TTK team include Narok, Embu, Nyandarua, Kitui and Baringo counties.
-Edited by SKanyara