The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) believes that Lamu’s 12th Annual Cultural Festival, coupled with the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) agreement, will help boost earnings for the sector. In October of 2011, the industry posted a 44.4% growth in revenue, making KES 82 billion, up from KES 57 billion the previous year.
The Ministry of Tourism has expressed optimism over 2012 prospects. The Ministry believes that the sector will continue to grow, especially due to the arrival of new flight couriers from international markets.
The event is set to bring in revenue for the tourism sector while giving artists a chance to showcase their work at a floating price. According to a report by Magical Kenya, the event will take place between the 15th and the 18th of November, 2012.
The festival brings together traditional dancers, craftsmen and poets among other artists. From bead makers to potters and sculptors, the festival will help generate income for a variety of artisans. This is the 12th event since UNESCO declared Lamu a cultural heritage site in 2001.
This year, the festival aims to sensitize local residents on the importance of maintaining their natural environment with an emphasis on green energy. Swedish Engineer Dan-Eric Archer will preside over a public discussion with regard to smart solutions for energy conservation.
The festival comes ahead of the annual tourism boom that runs throughout the December holiday period.