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Kenya
Story: Kenya
Coast |
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Mombasa and
Coast Tourist Association HISTORY
OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS MOMBASA AND
COAST TOURIST ASSOCIATION (MCTA) is an association
of all the businesses involved in the Tourist
Industry primarily at the Kenya
Coast. MCTA has been in
existence since 1948 under different names. Between
1948 and 1962, it was under the umbrella of The
East African Tourist Travel Association (Kenya,
Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar) EATTA. In 1962
however, EATTA ceased to exist. The MCTA
membership comprises of Hotels, Local and
International Tour Operators, Restaurants, Car Hire
Companies, Leisure and entertainment centres,
Banks, Allied businesses, Air Charters,
Institutions, Travel Agents, Airlines, Tourist
Attractions, Arts and Handicraft centers among
others. The first
Chairman of the newly formed MCTA was Mr. John
Soper. The first offices were located at the
Carlton Hotel along the then Kilindini Road today
called Moi Avenue. Publicity was done and members
were recruited. Restaurants, Shops and Holiday
Resorts subscribed to the membership. Mr. Edward
Rodwell, one of the pioneers at the Coast took over
the Chairmanship from Mr. Soper while Mr. Robertson
ran the bureau. Eventually
grants were given by both the Municipal council of
Mombasa and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildllife
and in 1963, the Municipal council made available
land for construction of an office located on Moi
Avenue. The Association offices stand at the very
site until today and now boasts of a beautiful
building which serves as a Tourist Information
Bureau. Mrs. Lorna Hayes
was the longest serving chairperson. MCTA is an
umbrella of all those who are in one way or another
involved in the Tourism trade. The OBJECTIVES
of MCTA are non-political and
include:- Promoting,
fostering and maintaining Tourist Traffic within
the coast Region and Kenya in
general. To acquire,
collate, distribute and advertise information
needed by tourists. Improve on
attractions and conditions of travel in Mombasa,
Coast and Kenya in general. Liaise and work
hand in hand with the Government authorities to
enhance the achievements of the various
objectives. Acquire funds by
grant, donations and subscription in furtherance of
the objectives. MCTA today
comprises of over 150 members and continues to
grow. An Executive committee runs the association.
Various committees are regularly formed to handle
issues that relate to different sectors of trade
e.g. marketing/publicity and promotional
activities, security, Data and Information,
Training, Environmental issues and infrastructure
among others. SUMMARISED
2004 / 2005 PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS Relocation of
Beach Traders Initiated the
creation of the Tourist Police unit today boasts
over 75 officers, well trained to handle both civil
and criminal security issues pertaining to
tourists. TPU is currently operating at the major
tourist areas of Mombasa Island and North Coast,
Diani, Watamu and Malindi. Lobbied for a
seat in the provincial liaison committee to ensure
that all matters relating to tourism are well and
effectively represented at provincial level and
civic matters as well . Water Shortage
in the City and the High Electricity costs ,
frequent breakdowns . The Association
also celebrates the world Tourism Festival every
year in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism,
an event that witnesses diverse activities ranging
from: Meeting guests
at the Airport and Port Beach clean
up Mombasa show
Tourism Annual
Calendar event to promote and encourage local
residents to enjoy what the country has to offer
. Insecurity
The Association
is proud that one of its 'lobbying' results has
been the election of its Chairman, Cllr Kuldip
Sondhi to be re-elected to CHAIR the MCTA Executive
Committee . Lobbying to
built a Dual Carriage Way from Moi International
Airport to Mtwapa will take place this year 2005
. MCTA has been
long known for it's strong lobbying . The executive
committee takes keen interest to take and solve
civic complaints from it's members with gratifying
results to benefit of all . |
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While
in Kenya recently, our editorial team had the
opportunity to spend some valuable le time in a
luncheon meeting with the Mombasa Coast Tourist
Association, which was snot only a highlight of our
visit, but set the stage for long range promotion
of this tourism area in our magazine and web site,
plus allied travel and business media. The
following is an outline we received from the
association management.