The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has identified arts and music as one of the channels to create awareness and spur interest for Kenyans to travel.
KTB Acting CEO John Chirchir noted that the level of awareness amongst Kenyans on the need to travel and appreciate tourism has been enhanced through education.
Chirchir made the remarks while receiving pupils of Kathonzweni A.I.C. Day & Boarding primary school the winners in the poem category that highlighted domestic tourism during the 2022 annual school’s music festivals.
Through the poem dubbed “Kakya Kakya”,the pupils projected the tourism narrative by recreating several tourism experiences that reflect distinctive features of Kenya’s popular tourist attractions and sites.
“We are happy to host these pupils who have shown a keen interest in Kenya’s tourism. This is the reason we saw it fit to offer them a treat through excursions in the city, they will have an opportunity to interact with attractions and experiences within Nairobi. We want them to get inspired by our country’s diversity in wildlife, culture, and experiences so that they can spread awareness among their parents and peers back at home.” Said Chirchir.
He said exposing schoolchildren to tourism and travel was part of a larger agenda to inspire the younger generation to embrace and love their country’s diverse flora and fauna for the purpose of sustainability.
The students were taken on a guided excursion of Nairobi’s most popular attraction sites including the Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, the new Nairobi Expressway, Two Rivers Mall and the Carnivore Restaurant for a culinary experience. This was to highlight the different tourism experiences that make the city unique and attractive to tourists both domestic and international visitors
At the Giraffe Centre, the students had a chance to interact with World Marathon record holder and destination ambassador Eliud Kipchoge who commended the students and encouraged them to take part in the growth of the country even at an early age. “I am delighted to interact with these pupils who now have an opportunity of becoming ambassadors themselves. I am certain that through this experience, they we will be able to encourage even more young people to tour our country and also be part of the conservation agenda.,’ Kipchoge said.
On his part, Kathonzweni A.I.C. Day & Boarding primary school headteacher Mr. Benjamin Nungu said that the excursion was an enriching experience for the students adding that they look forward to more of such opportunities in the future as part of their learning experiences.
“”This was a great opportunity for us to get to learn about some of the experiences and attractions that make Nairobi unique as a destination,” said Mr. Nungu. “The pupils will return with a much richer knowledge about tourism and how it can enrich people’s lives.”
