Kenya has been elected to United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) executive council. This means that Kenya will have an opportunity be part of the governing body of this UN affiliate body that coordinates tourism issues and programmes worldwide for a period of two years until the end of 2017. Kenya’s nomination was confirmed at the ongoing 21st UNWTO General Assembly in the Colombia city of Medellin.
The UN body from time to time lends its support to countries facing challenges related to tourism matters. Kenya has been a major beneficiary of UNWTO support as its secretary general, also a former tourism minister of Jordan, Dr Taleb Rifai visited Kenya twice this year to offer support as the sector suffered due to insecurity. UNWTO has also assisted in the development of a crisis management tool box, which will be shared among the players across the globe.
After the elections East Africa, commerce and tourism cabinet secretary Phyllis Kandie, said that Kenya is privileged to be accorded the opportunity to represent East Africa and the African continent at the council. “It is a big honor; East African Community (EAC) is one of the fastest growing regional economic blocks in the world. It is also endowed with some of the most remarkable touristic attraction to be found anywhere in the globe.” said Kandie.
Already the region has launched a single tourism visa and at the recent UNWTO meeting in Mombasa, EAC is working on a joint marketing board to package the region as a single destination.
Hon Kandie also supported the proposal for setting up the Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme to aid member states develop their tourism sector leading to wealth and job creation. “Globally tourism sector has become a foundation for economic growth, source for foreign exchange, job and wealth creation as well as medium for human interaction,” she added.
The executive council comprises of 31 members. It is the governing body of the UNWTO that brings together 154 countries into single global tourism organisations and sets the agenda for the global tourism sector.