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{
    "id": 1279332,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1279332/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 389,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Penina Malonza",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Ministry is in the process of finalising a memorandum with the National Police Service Commission for establishment and operationalisation of Tourism Protection Service Agency, which is in the Executive Order No.1 of 2023 in my Ministry. We are also engaging the private tourism operators - through structured round-table meetings - to review their pricing, develop affordable tourism accommodation and offer affordable packages, including investing in budget hotels, self-catering apartments, villas, home-stays and local dishes speciality restaurants to serve tourists. Finally, the Ministry - through the Tourism Regulatory Authority - is undertaking the national classification and accreditation of all hotels, restaurants and other social amenities to ensure that all our hospitality facilities are aligned with international standards. This gives a catalogue for our tourists to choose. On the third question, the following are some of the Government initiatives lobbied by the Ministry, in consultation with the industry stakeholders, to encourage local investors to venture into tourism-related businesses across the country: 1. Duty exemption to all hoteliers and restaurants on imported items under the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. 2. Duty exemption for tour vans for tourist transportation for tour operators such as sightseeing buses, overland trucks and 4x4 vehicles. 3. The Ministry offers tourism business investment advisory services to local investors on where to invest in resorts, eco-lodges and other establishments in the country, including in protected areas cutting across all counties, including Western region. 4. Concessional loans are also given at a lower interest with longer repayment period of between 10–20 years offered by Kenya Development Corporation for development and renovations of hotels, lodges, restaurants and related tourist facilities. 5. Duty exemption for tourism boats imported by licensed tour operators and ferry boats, parts and accessories, but not including batteries and spark plugs. 6. Duty exemption for refrigerated trucks and trailers which may be used by hoteliers for outside catering services. 7. Duty exemption on water treatment effluent plants which may be used by hoteliers recycling their used water. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}