Africa Tourism Minister of the Year 2009: Kenya’s Balala

Najib Balala, Kenya’s tourism minister, has been named 2009 Africa Tourism Minister of the Year, an award which recognises his achievement in making an outstanding contribution to the growth of sustainable tourism investment in Africa. Balala was a leading figure in the implementation of government policy on promoting sustainable tourism, and led the tourism recovery programme in Kenya in 2008.
Kenya suffered greatly from the post election crisis where over 1000 people lost their lives and 350,000 found themselves without a home. Tourism dramatically declined, tourism related businesses were hit hard, many people lost their jobs and consequently Kenya’s economy and identity was negatively affected.

Balala was recognised as being successful in his efforts to assist the promotion of Kenya as an eco-friendly tourist destination, as well as the positive impact his contributions made to businesses, employment, the economic systems and, predominantly, the perception of Kenya as a tourist-friendly country once again.