The Ministry of Tourism has set aside Sh500 million to cushion the Industry against the coronavirus effects.
Speaking on Thursday, CS Najib Balala said the decision was after Nairobi hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, and airline representatives met and discussed in Nairobi on Wednesday.
“Part of this money will be used to restore destination confidence to ensure that Kenya remains as a preferred travel destination globally while the rest will be used for the post coronavirus recovery strategy in all our key source market,” Balala said adding that the state is doing all it can to ensure COVID-19 virus doesn’t get into the country.
The Industry has been profoundly affected by the travel restrictions by various states which have reported cases of the virus.
Kenya’s tourist source countries like the US, Italy, Germany, China and France have recorded high coronavirus cases with the virus claiming almost 5000 lives and infecting more than 100000 people across 100 countries.
The state through the Ministry of Health is set to have 5000 doctors and nurses trained and every County to have an isolation ward for COVID-19.
Kenya was selected as the hub for CDC Africa, which ensures that the country is at the centre of eliminating the disease.
According to the Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Mohamed Hersi, they will work shoulder to shoulder with the government to ensure the sector is less affected.
He further cautioned the public to seize from causing unnecessary tensions, or spreading fake rumours about the current state of the sector as the government is working to protect its citizens from the virus.
