Ready to buy hotels – Tourism CS Alfred Mutua declares

Tourism Minister Alfred Mutua on Sunday declared his readiness to purchase hotels to reap the benefits the industry is expected to realize from the impending tourist boom.

Speaking in Malindi at a meeting of tourism stakeholders and public participation, the CS said the aim was to make the tourism industry profitable, which would generate huge profits.

“If you're thinking of selling your hotel, let me know and I'll buy it. You'll make a lot of money in no time,” Mutua told officials.

This public engagement initiative involved stakeholders from the tourism industry, including hotel owners, tour operators, residents, and representatives from various community organizations.

During the meeting, he also assured stakeholders to build on the foreign exchange that will be introduced to make Kenya's tourism industry value-based.

The CS stressed that Kenya's tourism industry not only needs numbers but also needs to upgrade to value-based tourism rather than cheap tourism.

“We don't want cheap tourism. This region will become the Miami of Africa, the Riviera of Africa,” Mutua said.

He pointed out that most of the challenges experienced by the industry over the past 15 years were problems that the government could resolve in the short term.

Furthermore, during his visit to Malindi, Mr Mutua asked for the immediate commencement of a street lighting project in Malindi town, which he said was supported by funds allocated by the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

However, stakeholders raised issues about airport expansion and called on the government to set up a fully equipped airport in the town.

According to tourism operators, the current airport poses a challenge for the industry as its current capacity does not allow for international flight operations.

Stakeholders also called on the CS to not only ensure that the government invests in power infrastructure in Malindi, but also to be at the forefront of enhancing the town's attractiveness.

According to operators, intermittent power supply was having a negative impact on the tourism industry.