December, 2021
- KENYA UTALII COLLEGE STRATEGIC PLAN 2021-2026
The Association attended a validation workshop organized by Kenya Utalii College, the aim of the meeting was to give an opportunity to the stakeholders to critique and offer professional input to the plan before its release for implementation.
- KENYA TOURISM BOARD STRATEGIC PLAN MID TERM REVIEW STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Association attended a one-day workshop organized by KTB aimed at collecting information from stakeholders on KTB’s performance and engagement with the industry. The outcome of the meeting would be used to come up with the plan for their midterm review of the strategic plan.
- NATIONAL CONSULTATION FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR TOURISM SERVICE PROVIDERS
The EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the partner states panel of experts and with assistance from GIZ through the Support to Market Driven and People Centred Integration Programme (SEAMPEC) has developed draft minimum standards for various tourism service providers. This is in line with the order of the 9th meeting of the sectoral council on tourism and wildlife management that the EAC secretariat prioritise the implementation of directives that would bring about substantial impact in the tourism sector, such as development of standards for tourism facilities. In view of this a number of national stakeholder virtual forums were planned with the aim of gathering and incorporating the stakeholders forum and the Association participated in the Kenyan forum held in November.
- CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP FOR THE DRAFT EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOR TRADE IN SERVICE
The Association participated in a National consultative workshop organized by the EAC secretariat to consider the draft strategy for trade in service in the region. The strategy is informed by a directive by the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) that the EAC Secretariat develop a strategy for trade in service to guide EAC interventions going forward. The strategy is expected to cover the period 2021-2030.
- TOURISM REGULATORY AUTHORITY VALIDATION WORKSHOPS
TRA held several online validation workshops, where the members and stakeholders were given a chance to give their input. The standards that were discussed online were: Safety and Security Standards, Food Safety and Hygiene Standards, Adventure Sports Tourism Standards, and MICE standards. The Regulator also sent the following standards for public review: Tour Guide and Hotel Employees Accommodation Standards, Digital Tourism Standards and National Spa and Wellness Standards.
- REVIEW OF KWS CONSERVATION FEES 2022
KWS intends to review the current conservation fees with effect from 1stJanuary 2022, to this end, the Association was invited to participate in a meeting to discuss the new fees. We submitted that KWS extend the moratorium that they had issued on the fees during this COVID period, but they were adamant that the extension of the suspension was not sustainable. At the same time the fees payable will be based on seasons, (high and low season rate) as opposed to the previous structure where one fee was applied. The meeting was also informed of the organisation’s strategic plan (2019-2024), and the introduction of the new revenue management system for the parks and reserves.
- GREEN TOUR GREEN DESTINATIONS PILOT PROGRAM
We attended the official launch of the Green Destinations Pilot Program in Kenya by Ecotourism Kenya. The Green Destinations Program trains, recognizes and certifies tourism destinations. It also builds the capacities of tour operators, accommodation facilities and tourism destinations through training sessions. Eco tourism Kenya seeks to begin the journey of endorsing Kenya’s tourism destinations for certification as internationally recognized Green Tourism Destinations and they hope to achieve this through this program. The launch brought together diverse stakeholders within the tourism industry including the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, tourism destinations, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), private sector associations, and sustainability experts. The Guest of Honour at the event was Kennedy Lwenyi, Acting Director General, TRA.
- WORLD TOURISM DAY
We participated in the World Tourism Day in Kisumu where the CEO was one of the main speakers.
- FKE WEBINAR
FKE hosted a webinar with the Ministry of Health where the Chief Guest was Health CAS Dr. Mwangangi. Our National Vice Chairman was one of the keynote speakers at the webinar which addressed various issues including the sustainability of the tourism industry under the current Covid-19 crisis.
- LAUNCH OF THE BLUE COMPANY
The Blue Company, which we have partnered with over the last 5 years was launched at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. A good number of our members who had previously signed up to the code of the Blue Company, were represented at the launch. This is a good initiative to fight corruption and reduce the cost of doing business.
- CHIEF JUSTICE ROUND TABLE
Under the auspices of Kepsa, we held a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Mwilu and the various heads of the judiciary to discuss matters pertaining to the justice sector.
- DEALING WITH CORRUPTION IN THE JUSTICE SECTOR
We were honored to moderate the above webinar which was hosted by the NCAJ. The webinar addressed what the justice sector is actually doing to address the issue of corruption. The main speakers included the Principle Judge at the Magistrates Court, the EACC, Asset Recovery Agency and the Witness Protection Agency.
- WORLD TRAVEL MARKET
Kenya Tourism Board with a few Kenyan companies attended the World Travel Market where Kenya was the only African country represented. There was a lot of interest and enquiries for Kenyan hotels and products. KTB intends to continue attending WTM which is good news for the industry after the Kenyan government had pulled out of the show several years ago.
- JOINT COMMUNIQUE –DECEMBER
We held a meeting with the Unions (KHAWU and KUDHEIHA) to discuss the position of our joint communiqués. As you may be aware we have a number of issues that have surfaced regarding the current pandemic, key among them is the emergence of a new variant of the disease, and the directive by CS Health on vaccinations for both employees and customers. These issues are definitely going to have a very big and direct impact on the industry. In this regard, the parties agreed that the life of the previous communiqué be extended for the period between now and mid-January with a review scheduled for 18th January 2022, to allow the parties to consult and interrogate the issues more intensely. We thank you for your commitment and urge you to continue complying with the laid down guidelines, in order to maintain industrial harmony during these challenging times.
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