Kephers Otieno

TOURISM:  A surge in the number of conference facilities coming up in Kisumu County could turn around the region’s fortunes as the lakeside city prepares to host the 2022 Africities conference next year.

Lake Victoria Tourism Association patron Charles Kataro says Kisumu recently recorded gradual increase in tourists and revenue from the facilities in a move seen as a boost to the sector on the back of Covid-19 shocks.

Lake Victoria Tourism Association chair Robinson Anyal says apart from new roads, and the refurbished metre gauge rail to the county, the region boosts of new hotels with modern architecture and contemporary designs.

“While our industry is struggling to recover, we are happy that many new investors in the sector are also showing up for business,’’ said Kataro told Business Hub.

Conference tourism

Kisumu governor Prof Anyang Nyongo observes that new projects are also popping along the busy roads to Kakamega, Migori and Siaya Bondo roads to complement ongoing efforts to prepare for the forum.

Nyong’o said the forthcoming Africities Summit will present an opportunity for decentralized governments to discuss the emerging dynamics of urbanisation in Africa and its borders.

Studies show that 60 per cent of the world population will be living in urban areas by 2050 and this echoes the need to think and plan for this population boom to avert possible pressure.  – Kephers Otieno