Kisumu County seeks to revive tourism sector through collaboration

Kisumu County Government is inviting players in the tourism industry to collaborate in a bid to revive the sector.

According Deputy Governor Mathew Owili, the county government recognizes the massive negative impacts the sector has faced since the Covid-19 pandemic began as the lake region economy has also been affected. 

Owili, who was speaking after the UN World Tourism Day, noted that time to have sector players back on the table since the economy is slowly reopening. 

The World Tourism Day which was celebrated on September 27, is the day for fostering awareness of the social, cultural, political and economic value of tourism while scrutinizing the contribution that the sector would make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

This year's event was held at Ndere Island Park in Seme, Kisumu County.

Owili said, "As a County Government, we are committed to promoting tourism in the West Kenya Circuit, which has not lived to its expectations in the past. Kisumu stakeholders in the tourism industry can collaborate with regional governments in contributing their expertise and perspective to a tourism-related initiative,” said Owili.

Referring to the Western Kenya circuit as an area 

potential to compete with other circuits such as the coast, the Deputy Governor asked stakeholders to take advantage of the rich networks provided by the county’s Tourism leadership. 

“We have many tourisms attraction sites. The Kisumu International Airport now plays host to many Airlines, an indication that many people have discovered this beautiful lakeside town," he added. 

Owili acknowledged the fact that Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact on the tourism industry. 

Safaricom Limited, one of the strategic partners present during the event, pledged to invest in network connectivity and data access in a bid to boost the tourism sector.

Regional Operations and Area Sales Manager Alice Otieno stated, “In our quest to become a purpose-led technology company, we made a heavy presence by providing the bandwidth for the live stream during the panel interview at the site of the celebrations.”