While speaking at the Skal World Congress held at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Hotel, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Najib Balala today announced new charter flights from Amsterdam & Brussels to Mombasa. Mombasa is set to receive three charters and a direct flight within the year that will reposition the county as a must-visit destination.
The 79th edition of the Skal conference, a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism is set to have a positive effect on investment in the tourism and hospitality sector in Mombasa.
Skal President, Susanna Saari lauded Kenya for her strides towards sustainable tourism practices which she said is an integral part in the tourism business. According to Susanna, the Skal congress was a turning point in the tourism business in Mombasa.
In fact, the hotel MD, Mr Nooran stated that all their hotel rooms had been booked meaning that other hotels in the area would also benefit from the conference. “Some of the guests have been booked to other hotels, signalling the positive impact this conference has on the tourism sector.” he added.
Najib Balala said that the tourism sector is expected to record a 17% increase in tourist arrivals at the close of the year with the implementation of National tourism blueprint initiative. This National Tourism Blueprint calls for new innovative approaches in the management of the tourism sector in Kenya to achieve Vision 2030, while outlining the tools and guidelines to achieve this.
The event brings together professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry and has attracted over 500 delegates across the globe. The delegates were yesterday treated to dinner and dance at Fort Jesus.
Kenya is now becomes the first African country to host the conference.