A NEWLY formed lobby group in the tourism sector has urged the government to repair roads at the Coast to boost the sector. Kenya Association Women Tourism has appealed to Roads minister Franklin Bett to give Coast priority in the repair of roads because of its strategic importance.

Speaking during their first meeting at Tamarind Hotel, KAWT officials led by chairperson Millicent Odhiambo said the poor state of roads is scaring away tourists. "A tourist taking the Nairobi-Mombasa highway from the port city will never want to come back because of the bumpy state at Miritini. This is greatly hurting tourism," she said.

Odhiambo said lobby group, which will launch its Coast chapter at the end of the month, is committed to empowering women in the tourism sector. She said they move will ensure women participation in the tourism industry. "The association is responding to a growing interest and opportunities in tourism into which women must be helped,"she said.

She said organisation will facilitate collaboration of all stakeholders. Odhiambo said the tourism sector provides opportunities for women's self-employment. "We are set to launch the coast chapter at the end of this month to involve Coast players in it," she said.