Laikipia hospitality industry players are angling for a bigger tourism pie through an innovative partnership with their coastal counterparts.

The players will be in Mombasa for two days this week networking with their counterparts along the coast and learning on the best tourism practices that Laikipia can employ to attract more tourists.

More than 20 Laikipia hotels will participate in the marketing event aimed at promoting Destination Laikipia.

With Africa’s tourism sector being rated as one of the fastest-growing markets globally, Laikipia is making serious efforts to position itself strategically as a preferred destination of choice.

The choice of Mombasa for the strategic partnership has been informed by its growing number of tourists which is only second to Nairobi.

Many international tourists land in the country through Moi International Airport, Mombasa before embarking on visiting different attractions in the upcountry.

Laikipia is yearning to be a leading tourism destination and has been wooing domestic and international tourists to visit the county during their holidays. Among the industry players taking part in marketing volley at the Coast is Ol Pejeta conservancy which will slaughter two bulls to showcase Laikipia’s best beef product.

Laikipia is Kenya’s leading producer of Borana beef meat. Those attending will have a taste of this delicacy.

Others are Maiyan, Falcon Hotel, and also some real estate firms.

Laikipia is the gateway to Mt. Kenya and has a diverse culture, scenery, and abundant wildlife in private conservancies.

We are targeting tour operators, hospitality owners, tourism associations. What we are looking for is to see how Mombasa and Laikipia Counties can complement each other in terms of joint marketing of tourism products. Laikipia Tourism CECM, Biwott Tirop said.

The key outcomes expected are to have tourists coming for a seven-day holiday, spend four days enjoying the beach in Mombasa, and three days for the game drive and mountain climbing in Laikipia.

The main aim is to sell Laikipia as a tourism and investment destination. The event will also provide an opportunity for industry players to interact on ways of diversifying their products to raise the profile of Destination Laikipia.

With the lifting of the curfew, Laikipia is set to witness an increased number of tourists visiting various attraction sites in the county.

Currently, we have around 300 rooms whose owners are willing to lease and going into festivity, we expect the increase in tourism to occupy them. CECM said.

Laikipia is also targeting between 15-20 real estate firms to showcase various offers they have in Laikipia for investment.

He added that when one looks at the national scale, Laikipia has become a prime destination for tourism and investment.

The government is already expanding Nanyuki Civil Airstrip. The upgrade of the Kenol-Marua Dual Carriage road and rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line will increase tourists in Laikipia.

The dual carriage will be perfect for people who love road trips. said the CECM.

The county government is also modernizing Laikipia urban centers under the smart town’s initiative to attract investment. The event will culminate with a golf competition at Nyali Golf Club.