Lusaka invites tourism investors to Bungoma

BUNGOMA Governor Kenneth Lusaka has said his government will improve tourism.

He cited the ongoing mapping of tourist attraction sites and efforts to restore Mt Elgon eco-systems.

“Our county is endowed with unique scenic features, abundant wildlife in Mt Elgon National Park and rich cultural practices in our communities,” he said.

Bungoma will become the ultimate destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, Lusaka said.

He said plans are underway to build a high-altitude training centre at Chemoge.

It will be funded by the county government.

Historical and cultural sites will be rehabilitated to attract researchers, Lusaka said.

The governor presided over Tourism Day celebrations at Namakanda Rock at Mwibale, Kanduyi subcounty, on Saturday.

The county is home to the “elephant maternity” on the edges of Mt Elgon Forest near Kapsokwony where the jumbos trek to give birth.

He urged investors to target and spur growth in the hospitality industry.

The county government is undertaking a Sh460 million rural roads network upgrade.

A Sh230 million rehabilitation of urban roads in Bungoma, Webuye and Kimilili towns has been completed.

The national government is funding the construction of four all weather roads which President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch next month.

The roads are Lwakhakha-Sirisia-Chwele, Kamukuywa-Kapsokwony-Kopsiro-Namwela, Musikoma-Buyofu and Musikoma-Sang’alo-Navakholo roads.

“We must collaborate with the national government which funds infrastructure development,” Lusaka said.

He said Uhuru will visit Bungoma next month to award Kibabii University its own charter.

“Kibabii University will have its own constituent colleges thereafter hence more higher education opportunities for our young people.

Tourism executive Teresa Nakhungu urged the business community in the hotel industry promoting the home stay concept to register with her ministry.

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KECOBAT participates in this year's Nairobi International Trade Fair...

Kenya Community Based Tourism Network participates in this year's Nairobi International Trade Fair.

Heavy Government Delegation Sample Community Based Attractions in Wundanyi During World Tourism Day...

This year's World Tourism Day was celebrated in Voi town Taita Taveta County under the theme: 'Tourism and Community Development'.

The event that took a continuous four days celebration was marked by different activities including Tree Planting, Town Clean up, Community Games - football, tug of war among others.

In addition, there was a day set aside to visit a few Community Based Tourism Attractions sites. Among the places visited included Njama Mizango Cultural Site, Kenyatta Cave, and Homestays.

There was heavy presence of Government delegation during the trip to these sites. The East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary was represented by Tourism Secretary Dr. Anne Kinyua. Present during the week's celebration also included H.E Governor of Taita Taveta , County Tourism Minister, Local MP, County Administrators, Directorate of Tourism officials led by Tourism Director Madam Anne Musau.

Brand Kenya Boss - Mary Kimonye, Utalii Principal - Ombongi, KECOBAT Executive Director - Taiko among others also graced the occasion.

The Cabinet Secretary on her speech urged Taita Taveta County to open up their homes as the country looked forward to diversifying tourism for sustainability purposes.

Kenya Community Based Tourism Network has been on the fore front in partnership with Directorate of Tourism to promote homestays in Kenya. Taiko Lemayian, KECOBAT ED was called upon to explain to the delegation about the homestays concept.

On his explanation, Taiko mentioned that successful homestays operation required very basic minimum standards for to be accredited. These include Hygiene, Safety and Security.

HOMESTAYS PICTORIALS

Virginia Ngugi, Director of Tourism - Anne Musa, Kenneth
Ombongi of Utalii College and Thomas of KECOBAT at the site...

Side view of the Homestays -Wundanyi... 

Front view of the homestays 

Landscape view from the homestays 

Part of the delegation at the homestays...

Taiko Lemayian explains to the delegation about homestays concept...

Taiko explains about homestays concept. Sitting is
Mary Kimonye of Brand Kenya, left is Fred Okeyo from KTB

Part of the delegation...

Dining table at the homestay

The kitchen...

Beds well made..

Well kept washrooms with excellent hygiene...

Executiv bed...

The kitchen...

Part of the delegation...

Part of the convoy vehicles that brought in the visitors... 

Taita Taveta to Conserve Tourism Sites and Promote Homestays...

Taita Taveta county government will partner with the National Museums of Kenya to reconstruct and conserve historical sites in the region.

Through the partnership, the county will conserve the Kenyatta Caves, Wray Museum, Kasigau Fort, Mwashuma Fort and Salaita Hill, which was the battlefield for World War One.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the World Tourism Day in Voi on Saturday, Governor John Mruttu said the Taita Taveta should diversify its tourism products.

"While recognising the traditional tourism products associated with wildlife, it is important to note that not all domestic and international tourists are attracted by those products and we must start offering other products that are unique to Taita Taveta county," he said.

Mruttu urged the national government to support the county in packaging and marketing its tourism products.

He asked residents to open up their homes for home-stay tourism.

"Very many visitors wish to have an opportunity to learn how we live, the foods we eat as well as our music and dances. Home-stay tourism gives them that opportunity and I am aware that there is a great interest in this tourism product," Mruttu said.

He said home-stay tourism will increase the county's capacity for visitors without putting up new tourist hotels.

The governor said it will allow for a speedy transfer of tourism revenues to wananchi.

Tourism secretary Anne Kinyua, Voi MP Jones Mlolwa, Brand Kenya CEO Mary Kimonye, Kenya Commission for Unesco secretary general Eva Njoka and Utalii College principal Kenneth Ombongi were at the function.

Kinyua asked county governments to set aside budgets for marketing their tourism products.

She said the national government will work with county governments to boost domestic tourism.

"Home-stay tourism is among the areas we will collaborate with counties to ensure our tourist numbers increase," Kinyua said

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke/ 

Kenya Tourism Week / World Tourism Day 2014 Celebration - Pictorials

Voi Kenya: Sept 26 – Kenya Community Based Tourism Network joined the rest of the world in celebrating this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration. This year's event is being held in Taita Taveta County, Voi and Wundanyi towns.

Developing community based tourism is expected to help local residents improve their living standards and promote their cultural values.

"Tourism and Community Development" is the theme of this year's event, which is observed annually on Sept 27. This new trend demonstrates the need to diversify tourism through promoting Community Based Tourism Enterprises, an initiative that is in line with the goals of the United Nations.

Kenya’s Tourism Secretary Dr. Nyagah said that the country valued community efforts in driving the tourism industry. Local residents from the county have become actively involved in the field, especially in homestays development; a concept being driven by KECOBAT.

In the near future, the tourism sector will help locals diversify their tourism services and draw in more visitors and with this, the country would be able to take the lead in community based tourism.

World Tourism Day is an occasion for Kenya to show off its potential in developing community based tourism in a sustainable manner that enhances livelihoods through tourism.