REPUBLIC OF KENYA

MINISTRY OF EAST AFRICAN AFFAIRS, COMMERCE AND TOURISM

Press Release: Immediate Release.

Mombasa, Kenya, 22nd August 2015: The Cabinet Secretary of East

African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Mrs. Phyllis Kandie, today closed
the UNWTO East Africa Tourism Development Forum alongside the UNWTO
Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai, calling for unity and cohesion within East
Africa and the Vanilla Islands to tackle key tourism issues and concerns
together.
Speaking at a press Conference at the Sarova Whitesands Hotel,
Mombasa, Mrs. Phyllis Kandie said:
Today we concluded the UNWTO Tourism Development Forum held here in
Mombasa. Two days of extensive discussions hosted by Kenya and
attended by the UNWTO Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai, and Ministers
and representatives from South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Seychelles,
Rwanda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Burundi.
The importance of our being in Mombasa cannot be understated. It is a
huge endorsement for the Kenya coast that Dr Rifai has brought this
UNWTO conference to Mombasa. It is the strongest possible statement of
support for the safety and accessibility of the Kenyan coast for all visitors.
Together, the countries that make up the East Africa tourism community
are able to offer the world one of the most compelling, fulfilling and
enriching travel experiences, when we work as one invitaiton and multipart experience. Together we are able to drive tourism growth and

development for the betterment of the lives of the people of all of our
countries.
This

conference

has

been

an

invaluable

step

in

advancing

the

cooperation that we need to develop our offering and tackle our issues and
concerns. We have had excellent discussions and can conclude as follows:
Continental Economic Drivers
Tourism is a vital pillar of Kenya's economy, environment, identity and
well-being, responsible for 1 in 10 jobs and over 12% of GDP. Similar
figures are replicated in countries across the region and continent.
As it is such a key economic driver for the Continent, the general
consensus is that tourism must be elevated within the African Union and
given the same status as all other key economic development sectors.
Brand Africa
The image of africa must be owned by Africa, and we must more
determindly project the image Africa wants for itself, and resist and
reverse those imposed upon it by others. We must be unified in our work
to project and promote a more positive image of our continent and
individual countries.
Security
The security issues faced by Kenya are international in nature and visited
upon Kenya from outside. It is critical that Kenya be supported by the
global community demonstrating solidarity. UNWTO has, since the first
days of our challenges, strongly supported Kenya as the nation works to
heal, strengthen and recover a national image in line with reality.

Security will continue to be improved within the East African region. We

must and will confront this together. We will not allow external and foreign
influences to damage us. Security does not exist in isolation, however, and
tourism concerns must be given much higher priority in the design of our
security responses.
Innovation
We need to give visitors a fresh experience both within traditional beach
and safari products but also develop new alternative tourism attractions.
Beach and Safari will always be our primary once in a lifetime visitor
experience, but we must also diversify. Business (MICE), sport (running,
cycling, golf, kite surfing), adventure, culture tourism must all be
developed and expanded to broaden the visitor experience.
We must also massively expand our tourist base foreign tourism, and
especially new markets, such as China, India and the Middle East, must be
supported by continental African tourism and domestic tourism. Never
again must we be exposed by the fragility of foreign markets.
Travel Facilitation
We must address key issues of travel facilitation and the visitor
experience.
Visa regimes must be quick and efficient and support flexible travel
planning within and between African countries. We must look at ways of
continuing to improve our visa regimes with the tourist directly in mind.
We must also address key issues within the airline industry and press for
open skies across the continent. Visitors must not be constrained by
inflated taxes and poor services.

ENDS
For more information please contact:
Name: John Kaplich
Title: Director of Communications, East African Affairs, Commerce and
Tourism
Email: kbarsito@gmail.com
Tel: 0722 769475
Notes for Editors:
The Ministry East Africa Affairs Commerce & Tourism is responsible for
driving regional integration, the development of international trade and
export, and the promotion of Kenya as a world-class tourist destination.
The Ministry is divided in to two departments:

The State Department of East Africa Community, which is

responsible for East African community affairs and the coordination
and implementation of community projects

The State Department of Commerce and Tourism, which is

structured into two Directorates: the Directorate of Commerce,
which is responsible for international trade and export promotion,
and the Directorate of Tourism, which is responsible for the
development of Kenyas tourist industry.