A proposal to boost tourism in Kenya but at the same time the economy that makes its earnings through tax remittances on the other.
It is one that Italian entrepreneur Roberto Lenzi will bring to the table of Kenyan institutions and the ministries concerned (Tourism, Transport and Treasury).
Lenzi explained to Malindikenya.net what it is all about.
"The Covid-19 in Kenya has put and is putting a strain on hotel and catering companies especially on the coast that as we know employ thousands of staff, which means thousands of families. The hotels themselves, when they are at capacity, activate a series of other services: suppliers, transport, electricity, water. At present, the only way to get customers in the various resorts between Diani and Malindi is to draw on local tourism, especially from the northern regions, the capital Nairobi and surrounding areas, since the Kenyan destination, although open and safe, is in fact almost totally closed to international tourism. In the same way, fortunately for us, those who were used to travelling from Kenya to other destinations, such as South Africa, Dubai and India, are now relegated to staying at home and trying to get to know their country better. And so it is that someone is timidly pushing on from Nairobi, not only to Diani and Mombasa, the well-known destinations, but also to Kilifi, Watamu and Mambrui, with good results judging by the recent festivities, given that even the real estate activity seems to have revived".
Here is Lenzi's specific proposal to boost local tourism on the coast and at the same time make the economy "turn around" for all involved.
"The possibilities for moving from Nairobi to the coast are: 
1. Personal vehicle (to get to Watamu or Malindi, some people also go through Tsavo National Park). 
2. Travel company vehicles. 
3. SGR (fast train), followed by other transport to reach the hotel. 
4. Airline companies. 
In each case it involves the purchase of fuel, intermediate stops along the way on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and thus the development of a small economy in areas otherwise forgotten, SGR tickets, airline tickets, airport taxes, transport in general and more. The idea is to further stimulate domestic tourism with a solution that seems to me very feasible and at no cost to the Government, indeed with many positive aspects: Kenya should have received funds to support activities during Covid-19. If the government proposes to pay 30 or 40% or even more of the petrol cost for the Nairobi/Hotel trip on the coast, train, plane or transport tickets ONLY ON PROVIDENCE OF A CERTIFIED INVOICE from the hotel, everyone will be forced to invoice, pay VAT, not counting purchase from suppliers, national health and social services, and various taxes. 
Airlines and transport companies would have an advantage. I believe that with this solution Kenyan citizens would travel more and everyone would eventually get their money back. The government would basically advance the money and then take it back in larger quantities.
If we assume that in the Watamu area alone, the Hemingway, Medina, Ocean Sport, Seven Island, Kobe, Crystal Bay and other facilities would be charged, we can see that just with the V.A.T. paid, there would already be a recovery".
The Italian entrepreneur's proposal has already received many positive opinions and will now be submitted to the institutions, in the hope that they will seize the opportunity.