Kenya’s ministry of tourism, stakeholders of the industry and the World Bank, Monday, launched an online directory with information on the East African nation’s beautiful scenery, accommodation facilities and tour operators.

“A digital platform that reveals key attractions in the country will complement our strategy to improve our competitiveness and market Kenya as a preferred destination of choice across east Africa and beyond,” said Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie, in Nairobi.

Tourism in Kenya contributes about 14 percent of GDP and 12 percent of total employment, making it second, only to agriculture in terms of importance. Determined to grow the sector, Kandie said the government will invest more in digital platforms to market Kenya.

“The vital role of online presence in marketing tourism cannot be gainsaid. The new age tourists rely heavily on social media to access information on products available,” Kandie told tourism stakeholders

Kenya, last year, turned to social media to help steer the recovery of the industry following the effect of terror attacks in the country. The government also set aside $10 million to implement a tourism recovery plan.

Kandie disclosed that Kenya will soon start marketing itself via the international media to remind the world that the East African nation is an ideal tourist destination. Using digital space, counties in Kenya will be able to showcase tourist attraction sites.

With the East African region rich with diverse tourism potentials, the Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa encouraged counties to ensure facilities in their domain are listed in the online directory. “Domestic tourism will benefit directly from the online platform,” Ndegwa asserted.