Tourism players at the Coast want to be involved fully in the marketing of tourism products and development.
This comes as the State Department of Tourism concluded its public participation in the proposed National Tourism Policy and Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on Thursday.
The Tourism Act is due for amendment to align it with new developments that have happened over the years.
President William Ruto recently transferred some functions to the counties, causing the need for a legislative framework to operationalise the changes. The industry has also become dynamic after the emergence of AirBnBs, advanced technology, manpower training and product diversification.
Mombasa Tourism Council chairperson Sam Ikwaye said many tourism agencies have transformed and there is need for a paradigm shift.
The players said they need to be included in the product development processes following their touch with realities on the ground.
“For instance, we need to relook the courses at the Kenya Utalii College and focus more on manpower and skills development,” Ikwaye said.
“There is little emphasis on that significant component of development of the tourism industry.”
David Kinyangi, a director in the State Department of Tourism, said the collection of public views started about three weeks ago, and his team has been in Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Narok, Garissa, Meru and Embu counties.
“We have gotten very good views from members. They have given us very important comments which we are going to incorporate into our programmes,” he said.
Kinyangi said the final draft will reflect the interests of industry players and the general public.
