Ministry of Tourism launches Public Consultations on Policy and Amendment Bill 2024
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has launched a nationwide public participation exercise to gather stakeholder input on the proposed National Tourism Policy and Tourism (Amendment) Bill 2024. The initiative aims to address emerging trends in the tourism sector, promote sustainable tourism, enhance governance structures, and create an environment conducive to the sector’s growth.
The public participation sessions kicked off in Kisumu County, where a forum convened at Kisumu Hotel brought together tourism stakeholders from the Nyanza Region. The meeting provided a platform for key players in the sector to engage with government officials and share their insights on the proposed policy and legislative changes.
The National Tourism Policy and Tourism (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to realign Kenya’s tourism sector with evolving global trends. Key areas of focus include:
Sustainable tourism development to ensure environmental conservation while boosting economic opportunities.
Governance and regulatory improvements to streamline tourism management.
Expansion of tourism markets by diversifying offerings beyond traditional wildlife and coastal tourism.
Community-based tourism initiatives under the Utalii Mashinani framework, which aims to empower local communities by integrating them into the tourism value chain.
The Kisumu session was attended by Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, County Chief Officer for Tourism Timothy Kajwang, senior officials from the State Department for Tourism (SDT), and representatives from various sectors of the tourism industry. The discussions centered on how the proposed amendments could create a more robust and sustainable tourism sector.
The public participation exercise is part of a nationwide consultation process, with the next session scheduled on February 17 in Narok County, a key tourism hub home to the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve. The consultations will extend to other counties in the coming days to ensure broad-based input from stakeholders across the country.
The government has encouraged all tourism industry players, including hoteliers, tour operators, conservationists, and community-based organizations, to actively participate in the forums to shape a progressive tourism policy.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s long-term vision of enhancing the country’s global competitiveness as a top tourism destination while ensuring local communities benefit from the sector’s growth.
With the tourism sector being a critical pillar of Kenya’s economy, the National Tourism Policy and the Tourism (Amendment) Bill 2024 are expected to bring transformative changes that will position the country for greater success. The ongoing stakeholder engagements will play a crucial role in refining the proposed legislation, ensuring that it reflects the needs and aspirations of industry players and communities alike.