Ruto asks tourist hubs to reject backpackers for top dollar’ visitors
Ruto urges Laikipia tourist hubs to ditch budget tourists (backpackers) and attract big spenders (top dollar' visitors)
Ruto urges Laikipia tourist hubs to ditch budget tourists (backpackers) and attract big spenders (top dollar’ visitors).
President William Ruto has advised the tourist hubs in Laikipia County to regulate the number of backpackers entering their destinations.
Speaking during the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia County, on Saturday, November 9, the President revealed that Laikipia County has the best tourist product, and so it only deserves premium and the best quality tourists who will bring in quality money.
“There are many backpackers, many people who roam around. They bring down our facilities, and we don’t get much money from them. I think we should avoid those people, we should tell them to go to other places,” Ruto advised.
According to the President, these types of tourists are only watering down the quality of tourism that Laikipia County has to offer.
“There are many places they can go, but for a premium destination like Laikipia, we want to get top dollar for it,” Ruto urged.
The county boasts vast tourist attractions, including the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a gem against the backdrop of Mount Kenya and straddling the equator.
The conservancy stands out, offering memorable safari experiences, striking natural beauty, and large-scale conservation success. Ol Pejeta has made a name for itself in the global conservation community as an innovator.
From pioneering funding efforts such as the adjacent Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate to developing a K-9 team to support its armed rangers, Ol Pejeta constantly has its eye out for the best ways to meet its conservation goals.
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The president has numerously affirmed his commitment to increasing tourist numbers in Kenya. Ruto has always pushed for the showcasing of the country’s diverse attractions, including its wildlife, the Great Rift Valley, coastal beaches, and savannah grasslands.
The remarks by President Ruto come at a time when Kenya is seeking to attract three million visitors this year, with a revenue goal of Ksh700 billion. Furthermore, Ruto is targeting to attract five million visitors annually. That is up from approximately two million visitors, contributing Ksh353 billion to the economy in 2022.
During the event, President Ruto also congratulated the county’s efforts to pay taxes, revealing that their tax compliance has enabled him to continue with developments not just in the county but the country at large.
“Because you paid that money, I was able to hire 750 teachers for the children of Laikipia last year, and I will be hiring 300 more next year because of your efforts,” the president lauded the county leadership.
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