KENYA TURNS TO SPORTS AND AI TO DIVERSIFY TOURISM OFFERINGS

Kenya is seeking to use sports and artificial intelligence to diversify its tourism products and attract more visitors to the country.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the Ministry of Tourism will continue working with the Ministry of Sports to develop and promote sports tourism.

Speaking during World Tourism Day celebrations at the University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County, Miano said sports and tourism are closely connected and can be developed together.

“Sports and tourism are two threads of the same fabric. We will continue to nurture and build sports tourism together with the Ministry of Sports. Our task is to package, digitise and market this offering with the discipline our athletes bring to the track,” Miano said.

The Cabinet Secretary also urged Kenyans to embrace domestic tourism, describing it as the foundation of a resilient tourism industry.

“Domestic tourism remains the bedrock of a resilient tourism industry. Visit Uasin Gishu, visit the North Rift and discover Kenya. Domestic tourism gives you the pride and patriotism of knowing and loving your beautiful country,” she said.

Miano added that the ministry plans to use artificial intelligence to improve the tourism sector, including the way destinations and tourism products are packaged, marketed and accessed.

Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok challenged investors to improve the quality of tourism facilities and services to meet international standards.

“As the government creates infrastructure, improves roads and ensures peace and security, investors must also play their role by investing in hotels, training staff and raising the standards so that we can attract international tourists,” Bitok said.

He called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector in creating an enabling environment for investment, growth and job creation.

“We ask that the voice of the private sector continue to be heard. That is how policies are developed, regulations are reviewed and decisions affecting tourism are made,” he said.

The celebrations brought together tourism stakeholders from across the North Rift as Uasin Gishu County prepares to host the Mashujaa Day celebrations next month.

The county hopes to use the event, together with its athletics heritage, cultural diversity and favourable climate to position itself as a leading destination for sports and domestic tourism.