Stakeholders from the hospitality industry in Migori have been encouraged to attend tourism training to learn how to attract, improve and promote the tourism sector.
Kenya Tourism Fund Trustee and Board Member Mr. Biko Gwendo said that Nyanza and the Western Region circuit tourism sector has not been fully exploited.
Gwendo who spoke during a three-day familiarization tour in the county noted that both local and international tourists have not been well informed about the potential tourist attraction sites in Migori and the entire South Nyanza.
He said that Migori being one of the counties with rich tourist attraction sites like Thimlich Ohinga and Mugabo caves have hugely been unexploited because of a lack of awareness and lack of proper social amenities in the hospitality sector.
Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a dry stone walled settlement built probably in the 16th century that portrays a typical settlement of the first pastoral communities in the Lake Victoria Basin.
The trustee said that they will work with South Nyanza Counties in coordination wilth the national government on how to improve the tourism sector in the region.
Gwendo added that the Lichota airport is still under construction and the possibility of road construction to link Migori and Maasai Mara in Narok County will have a huge influence in opening up little known tourist sites in the South Nyanza Counties.
Mr. Eden Odhiambo the Tourism Fund Director in charge of Strategy and Resource Mobilisation acknowledged that there was a need to make the Lake Basin Counties accessible to tourism.
“There are many beautiful beaches and small islands in Siaya, Migori, Homabay, and Kisumu counties that can act as tourist attraction sites both to local, regional and international tourists,” noted Odhiambo.
According to Migori Tourism Officer, Ms. Colleta Odhiambo, the county is in the process of setting up a resource center and other construction and renovation tourist sites like Thimlich Ohinga,to reap from the rich cultural site that has for many years remained unexploited.
The Official disclosed that the multi-million project will bring to life the rich county’s cultural sites that have for many years been overlooked by the tourism sector both at the county and national levels.
Colleta added that other heritage sites in the county like the Chinato Hills in Kuria and Mugabo Caves in Muhuru bay Nyatike will be rehabilitated to generate more tourism revenue both for the county and national government.
She called on the hospitality industry in the county to pull up its resources to ensure that its amenities meet international standards in the tourism sector.
Similarly, Migori Hotels and Bars Association Chairman Mr. Alfred Mudeizi said that they will ensure Migori Hotels are up to national and international standards to cater to both local and international tourists.
“We intend to make sure that our hotel amenities are well maintained with good service delivery to attract tourists and open up Migori to the outside world, noted Mudeizi.
Source: Kenya News Agency