Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Marketing Director, Jacinta Nzioka, has been appointed as an advisory board member of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne.

Nzioka, 42, becomes the 24th member and the first representative from Africa to the global tourism organisation’s advisory board.

The global forum described Nzioka as a marketing official with excellent knowledge in tourism marketing, adding that she was highly experienced in the field of community-based tourism and sustainable development.

The members of the international advisory board represent a wide range of travel and tourism sectors. The multi-sectoral make-up ensures that emerging destinations also have their place in the Forum as well as global concerns and locally based service providers.

Nzioka thanked the World Tourism Forum Lucerne for appointing her to the advisory board as the first representative from the African continent. “I am elated about the appointment, as it’s not only a great honour to my country, but for the whole African continent.

“I had to overcome fierce competition from two others from Southern Africa and West Africa who had been shortlisted for the advisory board slot.”

Nzioka said she would represent Africa in the Forum in tourism matters to ensure the continent had a voice in global tourism issues.

“Tourism plays a big part in our economies and can easily turn around lives of communities, help create jobs and economic growth,” she said.

“Women in tourism on the continent will be my key agenda. Protecting our resources in Africa is key for sustainable tourism.”

Nzioka served in an acting capacity as the marketing director of KTB from 2013 until April last year, when she was officially confirmed by the government in the position.

She graduated in Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at the Moi University in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration strategic management from the same university in 2008.

In 2000, Nzioka gained a post-graduate Diploma in Marketing from Maastricht School in The Netherlands.