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Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has committed to accelerating strategies to unlock Kenya’s tourism sector potential.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi, CS Miano emphasized the need to revamp the National Tourism Policy to align with emerging trends, acknowledging the sector’s vital role in driving economic growth.
“I am taking over this critical sector at a time when the focus is firmly on economic transformation and job creation,” CS Miano stated. “My priority will be to accelerate the growth of tourism earnings to support the government’s development agenda. I will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the Bottom-up Economic Model benefits are distributed evenly across Kenya, while addressing human-wildlife conflicts.”
CS Miano underscored the importance of product diversification to cater to modern tastes, enhancing Kenya’s competitive edge. She affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to unlock the sector’s potential for both domestic and international tourism.
“I will promote a domestic tourism culture, challenging the notion that tourism is only for foreign visitors. Additionally, I will leverage modern information technology to boost tourist numbers and create memorable experiences of our diverse attractions,” Miano added.
Tourism is Kenya’s third-largest source of foreign exchange, with earnings reaching Ksh352.6 billion in 2023, a 31.5% increase from the previous year. The Ministry, through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), is working with county governments to develop niche tourism circuits, which Miano believes will transform the sector.
Outgoing Tourism and Wildlife CS Alfred Mutua praised the groundwork laid during his tenure and expressed confidence in Miano’s ability to propel the sector forward.
“I am confident that CS Miano will build on the momentum to drive tourism revenue growth. I wish her success in steering Kenya’s tourism sector to new heights,” Mutua stated.
CS Miano also addressed human-wildlife conflict, committing to sustainable solutions through collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other agencies to ensure proper mechanisms for compensation and conservation.
