The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will partner with Kisumu County Government and other private sector players to develop the region as an alternative beach and watersports hub in efforts to diversify the region’s appeal for both domestic and international tourists.
Tourism PS Hon. John Ololtuaa says that the region’s lake ecosystem is a resource that could be marketed as an alternative to the Coastal region’s beach destinations. He noted that attractions such as Ndere Island and other surrounding Islands on the lake provide a unique opportunity to tap into the tourism potential in the Western region.
“The Ndere Island, and by extension all the other islands in Kisumu, offer unique touristic experiences. We are however looking at ways of introducing more adventure activities to these sites. There lies immense opportunity for watersports activities to thrive here, much like the marine parks in Mombasa and other coastal towns that are doing very well on that front,” Ololtuaa remarked.
He emphasized that such diversification efforts will help spread tourism benefits to more regions and contribute to boosting the country’s target of 3 million visitor arrivals by the end of the year.
Likewise, Ololtuaa spoke of plans to co-market the Western Kenya tourism circuit alongside other renowned destinations such as the Maasai Mara through infrastructure development that will enhance accessibility in efforts to spread visitor numbers and spending. He emphasized on the need to strengthen all tourism circuits in the effort to give travelers more value for their investment.
The PS was speaking during a tour of Kisumu’s tourist attractions including Ndere Island and Kit Mikayi as part of activities and events marking the Kenya Tourism Week being hosted in the county.
The festivities are a precursor to the 2024 World Tourism Day set for Friday, 27th September whose celebration is under the theme “Tourism and Peace”.
A key focus of this year’s global celebrations is cultural exchange among communities as a pillar of promoting peace and unity, which is being showcased through various events in the county and the region’s heritage sites including the Kit Mikayi shrine.
Ololtuaa, who toured the pilgrimage site, underscored its significance in preserving cultural heritage while urging travellers to take advantage of such attractions that showcase the region’s history.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Ochieng Owili called on both local and international tourists to support efforts aimed at enabling tourism benefits to permeate the Western circuit in recognition of its unique natural and cultural endowments.
“The Kit Mikayi (the Stone of the First Wife) holds great intrigue for travellers interested in cultural tourism. I would like to encourage more visitors to tour such sites as well as other attractions including the Ruma National Park, boat tours of the Lake Victoria islands and other destinations so that they get to learn about our rich heritage and help grow the Western Region tourism circuit,” Dr Owili said.
The Ndere Island is among several islets dotting Lake Victoria that offer scenic vistas and are equipped with cruise vessels for popular sunset group tours and overnight camping expeditions. It is the only island on this fresh water late that is gazetted as a National Park.
Access to these islands and on to Rusinga and Takawiri via Water Bus is open to all travelers arriving by air and by road. Ololtuaa challenged the tour operators to include this package in their Itineries to allow for more diverse offering.
The familiarization tour that included media and key stakeholders is part of concerted efforts by the Kisumu County government, working with stakeholders, to position it as a prime destination that will open up Lake Victoria as a new frontier for connecting the western circuit for access by both domestic and international tourists.
