The National government and County government of Kilifi are in discussions to expand the Malindi international Airport in an effort to grow air connectivity and tourism in the coast region.
The announcement was made by the Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano at the official opening of the fourth Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition at the Ocean beach resort and Spa in Malindi.
“There are ongoing discussions between various stakeholders, the Kilifi County and National governments to complete the process of expanding the Malindi international Airport, to grow air connectivity to the coast region.” She said
“A lot of work is being done to further open up our airspace, we have streamlined the policies of licensing, and have recently added new direct connections with Angola and Saudi Arabia, with increased frequency by the Emirates, British Airways. I want to assure you the guidance we have been given in order to meet our targets is that we shall consistently consider the applications with a view to supporting visitors to be able to access Kenya.” She added.
The Kenyan tourism sector is expected to rise significantly after the government streamlined the process of licensing new Airlines which will allow more companies to fly into the skies and bring in more tourists in the country.
On his part Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro emphasized the need to expand the Malindi international Airport for Kilifi to feel skies have been opened.
“We appreciate the work that has been put in to open up the skies, especially in the coast, we are in discussions with the national government and stakeholders so that this expansion can be felt in Kilifi, and tourists can land directly from their destinations around the world to Malindi,” he said.
Speaking on the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition whose theme was “Leveraging Youth, Innovation and technology for responsive and inclusive tourism” the Cabinet Secretary noted that it was one of the important forums in the tourism sector and that plans are underway to come up with circuits so as to promote Uganda tourism attractions and the Kenyan coast.
“We have had good discussions we are looking at Uganda not as competitors but collaborators so that we can have integrations, joint marketing and we also come up with circuits so that when a traveler come from their origin to east Africa we can have a package for Uganda and Kenya,” she concluded.
