As one drive into the Coastal city of Mombasa, the splendid changes in cleaning up the city and painting the buildings blue and white following the directive of H.E Governor Ali Hassan Joho,Mombasa is glowing, its clean its rejuvenated, not known to many this is in preparation to host the 2018 skal congress.

Speaking during the official media briefing for the launch, Kenya’s Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala says the government has appreciated the great facelift Mombasa county government has done so far in enthusiasm to host this international tourism event. Set aside Sh25 million for the event that is seen to open up Kenya to the world.

“The skal congress will host over 500 delegates will be ambassadors of Kenya’s destination throughout the world having lobbied successfully to host the 2018 edition,” Balala said adding that the Kenya’s government values the important significance skal brings about to the host country. He says by the year 2022, the country hopes to hit 2.5 million tourists yearly.

The CS added that Kenyan government had a budget of Ksh.25 million towards the organisation of the skal 2018 edition. Kenya with a bulk the funding being channeled towards security provision “Kenya received ratification at the 78th Skal International World Congress in Hyderabad, India on October 7, 2017 to host the Skal International World Congress 2018 in Mombasa after it was cancelled in 2015 due to insecurity concerns that why the government was investing much on security” said Balala..
Cs Balala added that “This event is an endorsement that Kenya’s security concerns had been addressed in conformity to international standards.

On his part, Skål Kenya National President Sylvester Mbandi urged the delegates to have the safari experience.
“We urge the delegates to indulge in pre and post tours to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, the immense Tsavo National Park, the Great Rift Valley and its stunning lakes, Equatorial forests of the Aberdares and Mt Kenya,” Mbandi said.

Kenya’s tourism sector has been on a slow increase, according to statistics from tourism index 2017 the sector is estimated to have expanded by 13.5 per cent compared to 24.5 per cent growth recorded in the first quarter, which was mainly on account of a rebound experienced in that quarter accruing from stable macroeconomics stability, good weather conditions and introduction of conference tourism in Kenya, which is gaining traction.