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Kenya

Tourism industry players urged to leverage cultural festivals

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 28 – Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has called on industry players to leverage cultural festivals to boost the country’s regional tourism.

Speaking at the sidelines of this year’s Lamu Cultural festivals, KTB acting Chief Executive Officer John Chirchir says the learning from the successful cultural event provided insights that other regions can replicate.

“This is the opportunity for other counties to look at what they have that, if developed, can pull visitors to their respective regions,” He said.

The 20th edition of Lamu Cultural festivals held over the weekend has been hailed as one of the most successful cultural events in the recent past attracting the participation of over 30, 000 including foreign visitors majorly from Europe and the US.

Chirchir termed improved infrastructure as a major facilitator of tourism development in the region, hailing the government for prioritizing the projects.

“The development in infrastructure within Lamu including the expansion of Manda airport, and completion of road within the LAPSET corridor will spur investment opportunities in the tourism sector,” he pointed out.

Lamu Tourism Association chairperson Khalib Ahmed on his part said the cultural event has had a direct positive knock-on effect across the value chain down to the common person.

“This is a big impact on the Lamu economy positively affecting all tiers of economic livelihoods and as an Association, we are ready to share our success with other counties as we strive to take this annual event a notch higher for the benefit of the Lamu people who majorly depend of tourism business,” said the chairman.

Hospitality facilities within Lamu Island recorded a brisk business with hotels and restaurants reporting impressive margins.

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Majlis Resort General Manager Nilmah Shah said the facility attracted 100 percent occupancy during the event period.

“I had to ask people to extend their booking arrangement to other dates because of the festival,” said the GM who termed the festival a tourism booster.

At the same time Lamu county governor, Issa Timamy disclosed that the county will hold six festivals lined up from January next year among them, the food festival, fishing festival, Yoga festival, Arts festival, and Maulid festival to keep the island active and retain its status as a heritage site.

The Lamu Cultural Festival is usually marked by traditional dances, displays of handicrafts and unique competitions on water and land, Swahili poetry, donkey races, dhow races, henna painting, and musical performances.

Lamu Old Town has a unique heritage with more than 700 years of continuous settlement. Its rich heritage and traditions have earned the Island a place on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List.

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