President Uhuru Kenyatta has cancelled foreign tourist visa fee starting February for children under 16 to “encourage family packages”.
Uhuru also directed a review of Park entry fees from Sh9,215 (USD90) to Sh6,143 (USD60) and asked Treasury CS to initiate the amendment of the VAT Act and incorporate the amendments in the Finance Bill for the 2016/2017 financial year.
The President said the government supports tourism in three key areas: infrastructure, security and renewal of partnerships with stakeholders in the industry.
“We are basically re-endorsing the revival of our tourism industry. We will work with private sector to encourage more products like this,” Uhuru said.
“The improvements in security are there for all to see. We dare not allow that momentum to be lost.”
The President was speaking during the official opening of the English Point Marina in Mombasa county on Tuesday.
“Let me congratulate the management, financiers and the Ministry of Tourism for making the English Point Marina dream come true,” he said.
He said the ongoing expansion of Malindi Airport and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will enable them cater for more visitors, noting that JKIA will soon receive direct flights from the US.
The President said the waiver of landing fees at Mombasa and Malindi airports for charter planes will be extended to June 30, 2018, to help the industry regain its full strength.
He added that the government has set aside Sh1.2 billion incentives for charter planes to stimulate demand at the Coast by that category of tourists.
“This will encourage those already flying in to increase the frequency of their flights,” he said.
Uhuru spoke of the government’s plan to revamp the management of Kenya Ferry Services and make it more robust and efficient.
“Even as we work on the bypass, I have instructed the Kenya Ferry Services to step up their management of passenger transportation through Likoni Channel,” he said.
The President thanked the United States and the United Kingdom for lifting travel advisories.
“They recognise, as well as we do, that security here has vastly improved, and that there is much to be gained by partnering with Kenya and the region,” Uhuru said.
In October 2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Officelifted a travel advisory against Malindi, beach resorts of Mombasa, Kilifi, Watamu and Diani and Moi International Airport among other safari destinations.
This was after the US lifted a travel advisory issued in May against Mombasa and other parts of the Coast; affecting Lamu, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala praised the President’s commitment to the tourism revival strategy, saying the future looks brighter.
“We are developing a programme to make our tourism products affordable and attractive,” Balala said.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretaries Judy Wakhungu and Eugene Wamalwa were also at the event.
Other speakers were Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, KCB Chief Executive Joshua Oigara and English Point Marina Director Alnoor Kanji.
-THE-STAR.CO.KE
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