Lodwar – February 4, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Tourism stakeholders and hotel owners have undergone capacity-building training to enhance service quality in the Turkana hospitality industry.

Held in Lodwar and supported by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), the training aimed to equip the participants with essential skills to improve customer experience and align services with national tourism standards.

On behalf of the County Chief Officer for Tourism, Senior Tourism Officer Thomas Kipseba highlighted that the training was essential for all hospitality and hotel stakeholders, as it plays a significant role in maintaining high service standards within the industry.

Speaking during the session, the TRA North Rift Regional Director, Moses Karanja, emphasized the importance of high hospitality standards to attract more visitors to the region.

“With this training, I hope you [hospitality players] will be better prepared to undergo the accreditation criteria for the required standards of service delivery,” he said.

Additionally, the regional director insisted on the adoption of skills on values compliance, improved management standards, destination marketing, and quality assurance framework for customer service.

Turkana County’s tourism sector has been growing, with attraction sites such as Lake Turkana, Central Island National Park, Turkana Boy archaeological site, and cultural festivals drawing both local and international tourists.

Participants welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the training would assist in enhancing their businesses and provide better experiences for guests.

General manager for The Cradle Hotel Lodwar, Dennis Biwott, stated “this training has given us valuable insights into improving our services. We are now better equipped to meet customer expectations.”

The TRA pledged continued support for local tourism stakeholders through future training programs and regular assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards.

With improved service delivery, Turkana County is poised to strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination in northern Kenya.

Other speakers from TRA included the Head of Planning and Strategy – Dr Ruth Kimaiga, Director for Standards and Quality Assurance – Fredrick Jack Omondi, and TRA Consultant Meshack Melly.

Representatives from the County Commissioner’s office, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Turkana Brand and county officials from the Tourism department, were also present.