News in Brief:
– Kenya is considering a Sh20 levy on tourists to fund a tree-planting initiative, with each visitor receiving a seedling to plant during their stay.
– The move comes as Australia and Kenya look to strengthen ties in agriculture, tourism and other sectors.
The Kenyan government is exploring a new initiative to promote environmental sustainability within the tourism sector.
Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, announced plans to introduce a Sh20 ($0.15) levy on all tourists visiting Kenya. The funds collected would be used to purchase tree seedlings for tourists to plant during their visits.
Mutua unveiled the proposal at a reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya. “Our goal is for every tourist visiting Kenya to plant a tree. We are developing a framework through the Tourism Board where each tourist will be given a seedling to plant upon arrival,” he explained.
He emphasised the minimal cost of the levy, stating, it is a small price for tourists to contribute. Additionally, they can then monitor the progress of their tree with each visit to Kenya.
Meantime, the event provided an opportunity to discuss collaboration between Kenya and Australia. Jenny Da Rin, the new Australian High Commissioner, noted the significant number of Australian tourists visiting Kenya (over 22,000 in 2023).
She stressed the mutual benefits of tourism for both nations and expressed Australia’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s development across various sectors, including mining, education, agriculture, and healthcare.
Additionally, she cited the relocation of the African headquarters of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) to Nairobi as a testament to Australia’s focus on strengthening ties with Kenya.
