MARCH 2, 2010
BY EUGENE OMILO
Tourism minister Najib Balala has said the elusiveness of key stakeholders in the tourism industry has led to declining standards.
The minister said failure by the ministries of water, roads and transport to provide the necessary infrastructure and services has deeply affected the tourism industry which is the back bone of the Coast region.
The minister was speaking at the Sarova Whitesands beach hotel yesterday while addressing a joint forum for the PS’s of the three ministries and hotel players.
Balala said it was alarming the ministries were operating in the old age of approximation wondering how residents do not get water supply in their houses yet they continue to receive bills.
“We are an educated lot yet the way we carry out our work does not reflect the same, how do you charge people for a service you have not delivered?” said Balala who also challenged the Water PS David Stower to explain clearly what he intends to do to address the water problem.
The minister also decried of the poor service at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport saying there is need to put up a regulatory body to monitor operations at the country’s main air terminal.
He said the Transport ministry has not put its priorities right noting that there are plans for the construction of new airports and expansion for the existing ones yet those available are underutilized.
Balala said major routes linking the town to tourist attraction site in the region including the Taveta-Voi road , Kwale-Kinango road and the Mariakani –Kilifi road are yet to be rehabilitated.
He singled out the Moi International airport which he said handles only 36 charters daily yet it has the capacity to handle 200 charters as well as scheduled flights.
On his part Kenya Caterers and Hotel Keepers Association chairman Titus Kangangi said the ferry has been a major let down to the sector and lauded the minister for organizing the forum which gave players a platform to meet the concerned officials.
Kangangi advised the government to consider the plight of beach operators while carrying out the beach relocation program.
The one day forum which was organized by the ministry of Tourism brought together hotel managers and owners from the Coast region as well as officials from the Water, Roads and Transport ministries.
ENDS…
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