Kenya - Low investment and lack of innovative products is affecting the growth of tourism industry in Kenya, Tourism minister Najib Balala has said. Balala said the industry is yet to fully stabilize after the 2007-08 post-election violence because the level of investment in the hotel industry is still low. He urged investors to diversify the industry and come up with more innovative products to attract more tourists and help sustain the industry. "There is a new market segment where people want to visit hotels and feel homely at the same time. There is need to come up with facilities that have both the hotel and the residential concepts," said Balala.

He was speaking during the official opening of Pangoni Resort in Shanzu. He said Kenya has to be the best in order to compete in the international market. Balala said local authorities have to complement investors' work by providing support system and infrastructure like good roads.

Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu, who is the Select Committee on Local Governments chairman, said he will ensure that roads leading to hotel facilities at the Coast are all repaired. "We must work with the Mombasa city council and the minister to ensure we open up areas with hotel facilities so they can be easily accessible," said Mwadeghu.

Brian Otieno

Nairobi Star/26/10/2011