Tourism CS Najib Balala at a past event. [Photo/ businessdailyafrica.com]
Tourists did not stop visiting Kenya despite the prolonged political season in the country, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has said.Balala said despite the several travel advisories issued by some foreign countries to their citizens against coming to Kenya, his ministry continued to record a high number of tourists."Travel advisories from the international community were issued during the elections but we still continued to receive tourists. But now we are sober and are working to roll out even more programmes to boost the industry," said Balala.Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, the CS said they were engaging various stakeholders to ensure that foreign tourists keep on visiting the country."We recorded a 10.4 percent growth in September. We are anticipating a 17 percent growth at the end of year," he said.At the same time, Balala announced that Kenya will host the Skal International World Congress in Mombasa next year from November 17 to 21.The congress attracts chief executives, managers and other top decision makers in the industry to promote global travel and tourism.