KTB acting CEO John Chirchir said year-round festivals in counties have opened up numerous tourism opportunities for devolved units as well as the hospitality sector.

‘’The benefits of having cultural festivals in our counties is immense to the tourism sector value chain, for we expect hotels and facilities to record full bookings during these festivals,” said Chirchir.

“Additionally, businesses that are supported by tourism will benefit from the many visitors we expect at the events.”

Chirchir spoke as Samburu Governor Johnathan Lelelit announced the 30th edition of the International Maralal Camel Derby, set for the 5th to 8th of October, which is set to attract both local and international participation.

The governor announced that improved infrastructure and security in the region were major catalysts for such events and other development opportunities in the region.

“It is worth noting that this is the first camel derby we are hosting with a fully tarmacked road from Mararal to Nairobi in many years,” said the governor.

“This infrastructure improvement has significantly reduced travel time, making the journey from Nairobi to Mararal now taking only four to five hours, compared to the previous longer travel times,” he added.

“Additionally, the security measures put in place are exceptional, allowing attendees to feel safe whether they choose to explore the area during the day or enjoy the festivities at night.”

He disclosed that over the four days of the camel derby, all eateries, hotels, and lodges within the conservancies are fully booked, reflecting the popularity and success of the event.

Counties have lined up cultural festivals as one of the ways of encouraging visitation to their region, a phenomenon billed as one way of impacting economic livelihoods at the grassroots level.

Recently, Kajiado County hosted the inaugural Maa cultural festivals that brought together Maa-speaking counties and over 10,000 participants across the country.

Other festivals held recently included the Tharaka Nithi Cultural Festival.

Now in its 31st edition, the camel derby will showcase camel racing and other activities that are central to the Samburu culture.

The Turkana Cultural Festival will be held in Lodwar, Turkana County, from October 12th to 14th.

The festival, popularly known as ‘Tobong’u Lore’ (welcome back home), was first held in 2014 and is hosted by a number of indigenous communities adjacent to the lake, with the aim of promoting peace, cultural exchange, and tourism.

“In Kenya, festivals and cultural events are a critical component of the tourist experience, particularly for the emerging segment of young tourists, who are looking for authentic experiences,” said Chirchir.

“They have become an integral part of the Kenyan tourism calendar and key drivers for economic growth in the hosting destination,” he added.

Chirchir also cited the upcoming festivals as examples of tourism offerings that will be able to open new destinations and circuits that are not well served by conventional tourist products.

“The Turkana Cultural festival, for instance, is one of the biggest festivals in the region drawing thousands of visitors to Northern Kenya. This annual event offers an opportunity for tourists to explore the host town, which is widely considered the cradle of humankind and has contributed immensely to the knowledge of human evolution through its numerous archaeological and paleontological discoveries. We shall continue to work with counties to develop festivals strategically as unique experiences that will open up new circuits.,” he added.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recognized the role of culture as a driver of tourism growth, especially for destination development, positioning, diversification, competitiveness, sustainability, and recognition at the international level.