Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, has reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to boosting Kenya’s tourism sector by rolling out a range of strategic incentives aimed at attracting both local and international investment. Speaking passionately before the Senate plenary on September 24, 2024, Miano detailed an ambitious plan to revitalize the industry through tax exemptions, advisory services, and long-term concessionary loans.
Miano stated that the incentives involve duty exemptions for hoteliers and restaurants on imported items under the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. She made it clear that these items must be engraved, printed, or marked with the logo of the tourist hospitality establishment importing them for use, which encompasses washing machines, kitchenware, cookers, fridges, freezers, air conditioning systems, cutlery, linen, curtains, and gymnasium equipment.
The CS informed the Senate that there is a duty exemption for tour vans utilized for tourist transportation for tour operators, such as sightseeing buses and overland trucks, along with a VAT exemption provided under the Finance Act, 2017 for licensed Tour Operators for specially designed locally assembled vehicles for tourist transportation. “These vehicles must be purchased before clearance through Customs by tour operators upon recommendation by the competent authority responsible for tourism promotion, provided the vehicles meet the conditions stipulated under the Finance Act 2017,” said Miano.
According to Miano, the government offers duty exemptions for tourism boats imported by licensed tour operators and ferry boats, excluding batteries and sparking plugs, as well as duty exemptions for refrigerated trucks and trailers and water treatment effluent plants. She mentioned that her ministry provides tourism business investment advisory services to local investors on where to invest in resorts, eco-lodges, and other establishments, including in protected areas. Concessionary loans at lower interest rates with longer repayment periods of between 10 to 20 years are available from the Kenya Development Corporation for the development and renovation of hotels, lodges, restaurants, and related tourist facilities.
Miano also shared that work is underway to promote maritime tourism as a niche market, attracting both local and international tourists, particularly around maritime sites in the East African region, with Mombasa and Lamu Ports being marketed as cruise tourism locations. She stated that stakeholders are collaborating to establish specific activities for implementation.
“To observe the United Nations World Tourism Organization World Tourism Day and Week, the Government of Kenya waived entry fees for Kenyan citizens to national parks and reserves on September 28 to appreciate Kenyans for their immense support for wildlife conservation in the country and to mark the World Tourism Day,” said Miano. She elaborated on the government’s efforts to facilitate this initiative, noting that guidelines have been set up to allow smooth entry for Kenyan citizens into national parks, reserves, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Nairobi Safari Walk, and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.
Miano explained that Kenyans will be free to enter the parks from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with free entry applicable only for game drives and wildlife viewing in captive wildlife facilities. This exemption does not apply to specific activities, such as guided tours, events, and camping. She mentioned that specific national parks with bus availability will collaborate with local communities, including schools adjacent to parks, to offer free interpretative tours, with security measures enhanced to protect citizens.
“In our ongoing efforts to promote diverse and captivating tourism products across counties, there has been active collaboration with County Governments to enhance the digital footprint of local attractions and events. The production of joint marketing materials with County Governments includes informative brochures and videos,” said Miano. She concluded her presentation by stating that through the Kenyatta International Conference Centre’s Meeting Incentives Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) mashinani awareness program, all counties across the country are being targeted as potential tourist attraction sites.
