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Tourism Fund (TF) targets to increase levy collection in the hospitality industry to Sh8.05 billion over the next five years, as it targets new programmes to enhance quality of service.

The state agency which currently collects Sh4.9 billion from industry players also launched a Sh280 Million Tourism Training Revolving Fund (TTRF) to facilitate access to education and skills development in tourism and hospitality training institutions.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano (pictured) said the fund, the first of its kind in the region, is designed to fill gaps affecting human resource development in the multi-billion-shilling tourism industry.

“The launch of a Tourism Training Revolving Fund—intended to provide financial support to workers and students in the sector and facilitate access to education and skills development—is an estimable first in the region,” she said.

Strategic plan

Miano made the remarks during the dual launch of the tourism fund’s strategic plan for 2024-2029 and the tourism training revolving fund at Bomas of Kenya.

“Henceforth, the freshly unveiled revolving fund will support programmes that in turn will improve the quality of service in tourism and hospitality training institutions across the country,” the CS stated.

She added that the TTRF to be implemented by TF in conjunction with Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)) is an innovative resource pool that will offer affordable loans to individuals working in tourism or studying courses related to tourism and hospitality. It targets diploma and certificate students.”

Miano explained that it targets HELB owing to the latter’s elaborate dissemination model. She said, the fund will aid the expansion of a highly trained workforce that will transform the country’s competitiveness as a tourism destination, driving repeat visits and long-term sector growth.

She observed that the TF’s new strategic plan seeks to enhance product diversification, capacity building and skill enhancement as key action points necessary for positioning Kenya as a premier and preferred tourism destination.

David Mwangi, CEO, Tourism Fund noted that over the years, the organisation has made significant progress, but the new plan sets out even more ambitious targets. “We aim to increase our levy collection from Sh4.9 billion to Sh8.05 billion over the next five years. This is not just a financial target—it is a testament to the growth we expect to see in the sector,” he said.

“One of the most critical aspects of the plan is resource mobilisation. We have set a goal to raise an additional Sh3.4 billion in resources by the end of the strategic period,” said Mwangi.

“Our focus is to ensure we have tamed the education and access gap of funds by students interested in programmes related to tourism. We are equally lobbying other partners to extend grants so that we can build the fund and thus cater for more students,” he added.