Tourism Fund eyes regulations for villas, holiday homes

The Kenya Tourism Fund is pushing for the regulation of holiday homes, villas and apartments in a move geared at streamlining the sector and generating revenue.

According to the state agency, while there has been an upsurge in tourist arrivals into the country, there hasn’t been the same effect in revenue earned from the same.

Tourism Fund chief executive officer Joseph Cherutoi said there has been a growth in private villas and holiday apartments in the country, which remain unlicensed to operate.

The fund plans to use the regulatory oversight will ensure services offered are also up to standard.

“When visitors land in Malindi or Mombasa we don’t see them in the hotels and the question is where do this people go? We have discovered they actually go and reside in these villas and home stays,” Mr Cherutoi said.

“The number one funny thing about this is that these people do not pay levies, taxes and even licenses to the government,” he stressed.

Mr Cherutoi said the state agency has started consultations with players in the industry on how to harmoniously introduce the planned oversight.