Governor Tunai meets Tourism Minister to foster growth, Success and proper Tourism Relations

 BY AMOS SANINGO

Narok county Governor HE Samuel Tunai who is also the chairperson of the Tourism Sub Committee of the Council of Governors (CoG), Yesterday held a consultative meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Hon. Najib Balala.

The meeting Anchored on the strength of the spirit and letter of the Intergovernmental Relations and the spirit of partnership in the success of governance at the National and County level.

Their deliberations centered on the development of functional institutional frameworks that can guide the working relationship between CoG and the ministry for the success in tourism across the counties and in Kenya at large.

The two have underscored the importance of the CoG having representatives in various Boards within the ministry to ensure that the CoG’s interests are catered for in policy formulation.

Governor further discussed the tourism task force report, with Hon. Balala assuring the CoG of the national government’s resolve to implement the report.

During the meeting various thematic issues popped up which include the issue of tourism Act, highlighted by the Cabinet Secretary, who assured the COG that proposed amendments would be factored in and a stakeholder meeting, where the views and concerns of the CoG will be considered.

The issue of licensing and taxes affecting the tourism players were also discussed where Hon. Balala accentuated the need for proper and structured dialogue between the two levels of government to avoid double taxation which only makes Kenya expensive for tourists, especially foreign tourists.

Regarding tourism product management within counties, Governor proposed that the ministry needs to assist counties (through the Council of Governors) with the technical support to create marketable tourism products within the respective counties.

The Council of Governors, through Tourism Committee, also requested the fast-tracking of the East Africa Open Skies policy which will make movement of tourism, both locally and internationally easier.

Hon Balala promised to form a ministerial team to meet with the CoG representatives and hold a brainstorming session where ideas will be shared on the best ways of handling the issues raised in the meeting.