Tourism Training Revolving Fund Launch
On October 18, 2024, Kenya’s Tourism Fund officially launched the Tourism Training Revolving Fund (TTRF) alongside its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan in a landmark event. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen Kenya’s tourism and hospitality sector, a key pillar in the country’s economic transformation agenda. The Tourism Fund’s focus on capacity building and skills development will directly impact the tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, as it positions Kenya to become more competitive in the global market.
Tourism Training Revolving Fund (TTRF)
The newly launched TTRF aims to provide financial support to students and workers in the tourism sector, particularly those pursuing tourism and hospitality studies. The fund offers affordable loans to help cover the cost of education, which will foster a highly skilled workforce ready to elevate the standards of service in Kenya’s tourism industry. This is critical for the MICE sector, as it ensures that venues, hotels, and event management companies across the country are staffed with well-trained professionals who can deliver world-class experiences for business travelers and conference attendees.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Rebbeca Miano, expressed optimism about the future of Kenya’s tourism industry, stating, “The Tourism Training Revolving Fund will ensure that students and professionals have access to the necessary resources to enhance their skills, thereby improving the overall service delivery in the sector.”
Strategic Plan 2024-2029
The Tourism Fund also unveiled its five-year strategic plan, targeting KSh 8 billion in revenue by 2029, up from the current KSh 4.9 billion. The plan is aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The focus on skills development and standardization is especially important for the MICE industry, where consistency in service delivery is key to attracting high-profile international events.
David Mwangi, CEO of the Tourism Fund, outlined the ambitious goals, including a commitment to train over 18,000 tourism workers by 2029. He noted, “We are focusing on capacity building and resource mobilization to raise an additional KSh 3.4 billion. This will help ensure Kenya remains competitive in attracting international conferences and events, driving long-term growth in the sector.”
In support of these goals, the Tourism Fund has also committed to completing the Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi County, which will become a major center for hospitality training. This will contribute significantly to addressing the skills gap in Kenya’s MICE industry.
Implications for the MICE Sector
These initiatives are expected to have a direct positive impact on Kenya’s growing MICE industry. By investing in skills development, the country can offer better service standards across its hospitality venues, making it a more attractive destination for international business events. This comes at a critical time when Kenya is looking to cement its position as a premier MICE destination in Africa.
Samson Some, Chairman of the Tourism Fund Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals: “We will continue to work closely with the private sector, local communities, and international partners to ensure we create an environment that fosters sustainable tourism and MICE growth.”
The event signals a new era for Kenya’s tourism sector, with an increased focus on professionalism, quality service, and strategic partnerships that will undoubtedly benefit the MICE space and the broader tourism ecosystem.
This launch positions Kenya to not only boost its tourism numbers but also enhance its attractiveness for high-profile international conferences, incentivizing long-term growth in the tourism and MICE sectors.
By Simon Peter
