Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 134485,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/134485/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 342,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, security and safety of our destinations remain major determination factors for the success of the tourism sector. Kenya continues to be perceived as an insecure destination as result of the isolated incidents experienced in the past. Security and safety of visitors are of utmost importance in the industry and require proactive damage control mechanisms. Benefits from tourism should accrue to the local community. This is an important objective of Kenya’s sustainable tourism development. This arises out of the realization that sustainable tourism cannot be achieved without involvement of local communities. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we acknowledge that there are instances where the benefits of tourism are distant and largely external to local communities. This has to an extent contributed to conflict between the local communities on one hand and tourism custodians on the other, thereby hampering sustainable tourism development. To mitigate this, my Ministry is encouraging the establishment of small and medium enterprises within the sector with a view to ensuring that the benefits of tourism trickle down effectively to the tourist host communities. Such enterprises include beach operators, tour operators, inns and motels, individual tour guides, lodges, curio shops, taxi operators, among others. National parks and reserves need to also be owned by the communities but management should be run by a competent authority such as the Kenya Wildlife Service. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry will ensure that tourism enterprises are facilitated by availing accessible and affordable credit through the KTDC and the TTF. In addition, these entrepreneurs will be provided with necessary skills through specially designed courses of management and accounting. We are also encouraging participation of local communities in tourism by forging partnerships and linkages with private sector operators. My Ministry acknowledges direct and indirect impact of tourism development on the environment. Towards this end, my Ministry is encouraging the establishment and promotion of the Eco-tourism Project which will encourage the tourism development consideration, environmental protection and cultural preservation. Lamu is a classic example which is a world heritage site renowned by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the tourism industry is very sensitive, highly selective and hence our tourism facilities require high standards if we are to compete effectively with other destinations. My Ministry, therefore, intends to embark on national classification of hotels and restaurants. The classification is meant to ensure that high standards are commensurate to international standards and value for money for our clients. To ensure provision of quality services within the tourism sector, my Ministry trains manpower through the Kenya Utalii College. The institution has already been declared by the World Tourism Organisation as a centre of excellence in the sub-Saharan Africa. My Ministry is also in the process of establishing a campus in the Coast as an initial entry point to serve the industry and expand to a fully-fledged tourism academy in Vipingo. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the tourism and hospitality sector is labour intensive. However, the demand for competent and qualified labour has outstripped the"
}