With Kenya’s tea industry being one of its top foreign exchange earners, the government is focusing on further development of the country’s tea tourism packages.
To that end, the Ministry of Tourism – through the Kenya Tourism Board – is implementing a strategy to identify and promote a collection of authentic and exceptional Kenya tea travel experiences.
Bomet County was selected as the strategic region from which to launch tea tourism due to the tea plantations’ proximity to the Mau Forest complex and Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
"Kenyan tea is a popular brand that has put the country on the global map for decades. We are leveraging on it as a tourist attraction product," said Tourism Chief Administrative Secretary, Joseph Boinnet.
He said tea tourism had not been fully exploited in the country to date. “This is the beginning of full exploration and maximisation of its benefits, both at economic and social levels.”
Farm itineraries to showcase the tea experience from the bush, factory and to the cup are being developed for both local and international travellers. "There is no better way of building synergy between tourism and agriculture than embracing agri-tourism. This will not only sustain our economic livelihoods but also our tourism strategy to diversify," Boinnet.
Tea plantation owners and individual farmers have been asked to come up with various packages that will attract tourists for excursions in the region.
