Dear readers,

I have picked up the below clip from this weeks Coastweek -

Great that business is booming in Africa - well done to all those involved however in the past months, I personally have not come across ONE mention from all types of government meetings, speaches, mentioning anything about wildlife....

With all the new places opening up - I really hope they are keeping a VERY close eye with what shall happen to the ecosystem in the national parks. I hope the hoteliers and lodge owners are aware of this as I came across negative impressions from the larger hotelier in my last working visit in Kenya (mainly in the Mara and Amboseli) a few months ago.
Unfortunately some large NGO's and the government is not acting enough - or they are super slow at reacting to looking after wildlife passages and the future of wildlife -

I find it hard to believe that they do not wake up and realise that with no wildlife - most lodges and hotels can close shop.

Nico - Founder, Bushdrums.com

The main frames of the National
Tourism Policy are:

• That Kenyan tourism industry is enabled and facilitated so that it achieve better global competitiveness.

• That our tourism is identified as a critical engine for economic growth, and thus is a key vehicle for job and wealth creation.

• That the gains, development and profits derived from the sector are shared among all players.

Specifically, that Tourism is marked as a Kenyan way to connect internationally and to mobilize resources to better the lives our all citizens.

• That tourism investments are done cognizant of the basic need to attain sustainable environmental status.

• That tourism will be private sector and community driven with government providing the enabling environment and regulatory framework.

• That the human resource for the sector is skilful refreshed and remunerated in ways that motivate peak performance.

• That businesses within hospitality sector are compelled to stick to a thin Ethics Code.

• That tourism markets Kenyan people for their celebrated unique hospitality.

Dear Participants, the Government has in the last one year affirmed the importance of Public-Private partnerships.
Indeed, this is what is making our African continent rediscover itself worth.
The Tourism Sector Working Group has done well. Issues of the industry are now being addressed jointly.
This committee, chaired by my Permanent Secretary, is both collaborative and proactive.
I am happy that KAHC is consistently represented in this team.
My ministry has also addressed issues relating to leadership of other public tourism institutions.
The Hotels and Restaurant Authority has a new board.
To ensure that KAHC as a major organization is represented well; I have appointed its national chairman to the board.
I am also reviewing the composition of other boards, including Catering and Tourism Development Levy Trustees, and the Kenya Utalli College.
Just like we have done with Kenya Tourist Board, and now HRA, we want nominees to these bodies to directly report to the nominating authorities.
This should be the spirit, indeed essence, of public-private partnerships.