The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has partnered with Kisumu County to equip taxi drivers operating in the region with requisite skills and knowledge aimed at enhancing visitor experience.
The intensive training program is part of KTB’s capacity building initiatives focusing on players in the tourism value chain, especially those that are the first point of contact for visitors when they arrive in the destination.
Speaking on the initiative, KTB CEO June Chepkemei highlighted the critical importance of taxi drivers in enriching the overall tourist experience and showcasing the diversity of attractions in the country.
“The journey between an airport or train station to the hotel or tourist attractions is an opportunity to make a great first impression on visitors during their stay,” she said.
“While tour operators handle airport arrivals for some, most independent travelers rely extensively on taxi drivers to orient them to the destination. A negative arrival experience can significantly impact their overall impression of the destination hence we are committed to equipping our taxi drivers with essential customer service skills to excel in their interactions with visitors and showcase Kenya as a competitive tourism destination,” Chepkemei added.
The training program is designed to provide the drivers with enhanced communication skills, road safety tips, airport operations updates and a deeper understanding of Kenya’s tourism landscape, including the provision of online and printed marketing materials.
The program seeks to ensure that every interaction between visitors and taxi drivers is informative, engaging, and reflective of Kenya’s status as a premier tourism destination.
The training will cover the latest protocols from agencies like the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), various taxi associations and the Kenya Tourism Federation(KTF).
The collaboration comes ahead of the fifth edition of the World Blacks and Africans Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), to be held in Kisumu County from August 25 to September 1, which is expected to attract thousands of cultural and arts enthusiasts.
“We are delighted to work with Kisumu County as well as the various stakeholders on this important effort to ready the tourism workforce for FESTAC and beyond,” Chepkemei remarked.
On her part, Kisumu CEC for Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing Ms. Farida Salim welcomed the timely collaboration. “KTB has been a solid partner as we position Kisumu County as a preferred tourism destination. This program aligns to our mission to create greater appeal for visitors. We remain committed to continuously improving services for tourists in the region.”
Chairman of the Kisumu International Airport Ground Transport Organization Fredrick Mbai also appreciated the tourism marketing agency’s recognition of the pivotal role played by taxis in the end-to-end visitor experience.
In the same way, Kisumu International Airport Manager Peter Wafula lauded the operationalization of structured taxi services. He encouraged drivers to reach out with any challenges encountered.
As part of the continued capacity building sessions, KTB will also partner with the Lake Victoria Tourism Association (LVTA) for an upcoming session with hospitality staff, whose services greatly impact overall visitor satisfaction.
