KWS banks on well stocked parks to grow tourism - From the dailies

By Moses Odhiambo
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com

The Kenya Wildlife Service is restocking western Kenya national parks with new species of animals in an effort to attract more tourists to the region.Eighteen zebras, 17 waterbucks, six warthogs and 14 impalas were translocated to Ndere Island National Park in Lake Victoria last week from Nakuru County in a Sh5 million restocking plan.

The wildlife custodian is also banking on the participation of local communities to conserve flora and fauna while helping the government to keep poachers at bay.“We have created a diverse taste for visitors who will not only appreciate the beautiful scenery of the lake but also sample the various animal species that have been added to the park,” said Patrick Omondi, the KWS deputy director.

KWS, Mr Omondi said, is awaiting the findings of a study that will guide how additional species will be moved to the region based on ability to adapt and survive in the tropical zones.

Apart from Ndere, the agency is keen on making Lake Kanyaboli, Mama Sarah Obama’s home, Ruma National Park and Mt Elgon National key tourist attractions in the western Kenya travel circuit, said the official.He said some yet to be gazetted “rare spots” that have rich attractions will also be protected in the overall plan to grow tourism.

“We want communities to be vigilant and report suspicious activities around the parks.”
The Kisumu senior warden Catherine Wambani asked investors to build more first-class hotels in the region to tap the opportunities presented by the park.“We want to make Ndere one of the busiest national parks but that is only possible if our visitors get accessible accommodation; this is an opportunity for hotel investments,” said Ms Wambani.

Residents, she said, should also welcome visitors to their homes under the home stays concept that is a trend in tourism.Western Kenya Hotel managers association chairman Robinson Anyal said as additional hotels were coming up, the proprietors were going digital to ease booking, reservations and communication.

He said members of the association had invested heavily in new technology to add value.

“Social media platforms have made it easier to co-ordinate travel and accommodation for visitors; we are looking forward to having the number of international tourists to increase beyond domestic tourism, which we currently rely on,” he told Business Daily.

Hotels have benefited from the high number of trained personnel that are graduating from local universities and colleges, helping to improve service delivery, he said.

“It is now a common practice to find a graduate receptionist or waiter working in some of the new hotels,” said Mr Anyal.The workforce is drawn from institutions like Maseno, Moi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Great Lakes universities, Kenya Utalii College, and Kisumu Polytechnic.

The increased passenger airlines landing at the Kisumu International Airport has also boosted tourism in western Kenya.

But the number of visitors, including business executives, is expected to go up with the planned introduction of Jambo Jet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways to offer budget service that is starting flights next month.

It will be charging less then Sh3,000 one way, although Kenya Airways competitor on the route, Fly540, has complained that the subsidiary was making KQ a monopoly.

Kisumu Airport Manager Joseph Okumu said the western circuit is set to be a watershed for the county government. “We are gearing up for more export trade coming through Kisumu. This will increase traffic in the region as well as boost production within the same value chain,” said Mr Okumu.