Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua is calling on devolved governments in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu to enhance safety measures along the white sandy beaches through improved lighting and access roads infrastructure.
CS Mutua says beautifully illuminated tourist resort towns, public places, and pristine beachfront will upgrade the coastal counties’ tourism appeal and reputation.
He says the improvements of the beachfront will make streets along the shoreline safer and brighter in the evenings while beach access roads will provide more convenient access to the famous tourist destinations.
Mutua says his ministry will work with the counties and other stakeholders in reviving tourism as a priority sector to drive economic growth and contribute to job creation.
Speaking in Kwale town during celebrations to mark this year’s World Wildlife Day, Dr. Mutua said street lighting can help tighten safety and security, improve living standards, and boost tourism invest
ments.
The theme for this year’s World Wildlife Day is ‘Connecting people and the planet: Exploring digital innovation in wildlife conservation.
The event was graced by Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga, Chairman KWS Board of Trustees Lt. Gen (Rtd) Walter Kaiptanon, and Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde.
Key events during the celebrations included the launch of the Sable Antelope Action Plan (2022-2031) and the commissioning of the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve.
He says his ministry is working closely with the leadership of the coastal counties that have tourism as their economic mainstay in upgrading their street lighting infrastructure.
The CS says the coastal counties should go out of their way to secure and clean up the immaculate beaches since it’s a leading attraction site for foreign and domestic tourists.
Dr. Mutua who was accompanied by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani says the street lighting infrastructure will provide safety and security benefits to residents
, visitors, and businesses.
The Tourism and Wildlife CS says the government is keen on sustaining tourism and its future and called on the devolved units and stakeholders to encourage residents to visit tourist hotspots through acceptable rates by service providers.
He called for the construction of a world-class aquarium in Mombasa to promote marine conservation efforts and attract tourists. The aquarium will have a collection of fish and other aquatic organisms put on display or for study purposes.
CS Mutua reiterated his ministry’s determination to deal with the threat of the ‘beach boy’ menace which has been a nuisance and a security threat to holidaymakers savoring the beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambiance.
He says beach operators were creating nuisance on the beaches along the coastline denting the country’s image as a destination of choice.
Dr. Mutua says the government will not sit pretty as beach operators roam on the shoreline harassing and troubling foreign holidaymakers.
He also enco
uraged the coastal counties to monitor the beaches and marine reserves to ensure their sufficient security besides creating a proper environment for the fragile tourism sector to thrive.
The CS also called on the county governments to build designated spots for the beach operators to sell their merchandise away from the shoreline.
Mutua says his ministry will help the devolved government to form tourism boards that will undertake proper supervision of beaches in their jurisdictions and end beach boys’ impunity along the coastline.
He urged the industry investors to diversify and add value to tourist products for increased patronage.
‘Diversifying the tour and travel sector is the key to unlocking the full potential of the tourism industry in the future,’ he said.
The travel and tourism sector comprises a wide range of products and services such as leisure and business travel, accommodation, food and drink services.
Governor Achani says the devolved government is currently undertaking multiple street lig
hting projects in Diani municipality to enhance its tourism destination image.
Diani Beach is the preferred holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists and each year it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour the beautiful scenery of the pristine beaches.
The resort town of Diani with its clear blue water and white sandy beaches has seen the South Coast town voted the best destination beach in Africa for six years in a row by the World Travel Awards.
She says the devolved government is spearheading efforts on beach restoration and coastal protection to revive tourism and fishing in Kwale.
Source: Kenya News Agency