This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Published on August 2, 2019, Nyeri County is betting on online platforms to increase the number of tourists visiting the county, as hoteliers urge the government to market Mt Kenya region as a tourism destination.
The county has completed mapping tourism and heritage sites, published books, and released a documentary to advertise the attractions, with the help of the National Museums of Kenya.
Tourism Executive Diana Kendi explained that the films will be available on YouTube with a link to the county's website, and they will use search engine optimisation to target customer groups.
The county has identified key tourist attractions, including the Aberdare National Park and Mt Kenya ecosystem, Italian war memorial church, Mau Mau shrines, and Paxtu, where the founder of the scouting movement lived and died.
"The new marketing strategy will have a wider reach of tourists visiting sites that are featured in our books and documentary," said Ms Kendi.
Hoteliers in Mt Kenya have asked the national government to aggressively market the region to shore up the number of visitors, citing the region's favourable destination for adventure, sports, game viewing, and romantic expeditions.
Edward Wangeci, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Mt Kenya Regional Chairman, noted that the region is home to the second tallest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro, which is more scenic.
"For years, the tourism board has focused on the beaches and safari but we have the second tallest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro which is more scenic," he said in an interview.
The county has set aside Sh15 million for the development of the sites, including those that were recently gazetted, and is developing a cultural centre to nurture youth talent.
