The Kenya Tourist Board has received a Sh1.2 billion boost from the European Commission and the Kenya Government to help it revive the ailing tourism industry.

This follows the sector's downward trend triggered by the post-election violence that hit most parts of Kenya.

Tourism minister Najib Balala announced the funding of Sh776 million (8 million euros) from EC and Sh400 million from the government during a cocktail party at a Mombasa hotel over the weekend.

He said that he held a meeting with EC officials who pledged to inject Sh800 million this financial year while the State was expected to give Sh200 million between now and June. The minister said that the government plans to release another Sh200 million for placing of advertisements on international media to help in the marketing campaigns.

Mr Balala, at the same time, said the State was looking for a donor who could chip in Sh200 million to boost the revival of tourism marketing kitty. "For quite some time, tourism investors have been lobbying the State to fund KTB with at least Sh1.5 billion to help in luring tourists abroad back into the country. We are happy that EC and the government have done that," he noted.

"We believe that with such a substantial amount of funding, KTB can deliver tourists back to the country," Mr Balala said.

Among those who attended the party, which was organised by local hoteliers and tour operators, included KTB managing director, Dr Ong'ong'a Achieng, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association chairman, Mr Kuldip Sondhi and Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast branch chairman Tasneem Adamji. The minister said the Government was serious in reviving the industry which, he added, is the top foreign exchange earner and key to spurring economic growth.

Dr Achieng commended the EC and the government for the funding, adding that the cash would play a major part in the much-needed revival of tourism campaigns abroad. He said KTB was in dire need of more than Sh1 billion to wage an aggressive marketing campaign abroad and Sh100 million for local campaigns.

Industry recovers

"Funding was our major handicap and since the EC and the government have come to our aid, we shall work hard to ensure the industry recovers," said the KTB boss.

Dr Achieng said KTB will spend Sh100 million to invite international travel journalists, travel agents and celebrities from all corners of the world to see for themselves that the situation was back to normal.

Following the down turn in tourism fortunes early this year, more than 30 tourist hotels in the Coast were shut down and thousands of hotel employees sent home.