New charges for parks necessary, says Kenya Tourist Board

 The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) has defended new park entry charges, saying they would help improve infrastructure and services to visitors.

KTB managing director Ongong’a Achieng said in Mombasa yesterday that the cost of managing parks was very high and that the new charges would help the Kenya Wildlife Service ensure that the infrastructure in the parks and services offered to visitors were of high quality.

"To enable KWS to continue to maintain the parks, they have to generate some income from charging a small fee as entry charges to the facilities. The increase of the charges, which takes effect almost immediately, is not such a big price to pay for attractions that are found in our parks," said Dr Achieng.

According to KWS, the new park entry tariffs, which would take effect from July 1, have already been advertised through their website. {These appear as a Government Surcharge in the MARA 2008 fee schedule}


see Daily Nation report
 
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