The tourism industry is still struggling to regain ground seven months after the post poll violence despite heightened campaigns. I strongly believe that if we incorporate scenes from our country into foreign film productions, we will enjoy one of the strongest forms of international publicity, and all for free.

One such film for instance, a 2007 German production, Africa Mon Amour, was shot partly in magical Lamu and it put this heritage town (recognised internationally) in colour when it appeared on screen especially in Germany.

KITE SURFING MOVIE

Another Italian film:Deadly kite surf' portrayed Kenya as a preferred destination for kite surfers, which is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world Che-Shale; an island located some 25km north of Malindi, is renowned internationally for kite surfing.

The Italian production attracted surfing champions from Jtaly, who worked closely with local talent to film the most spectacular shots at the Coast and at Mida Creek. The experience was magical as kite sufers made saltos in the air, twisted, turned and flew like birds!

But perhaps the movie, Out of Africa, remains the best of all promotional films as far as Kenya's tourism is concerned. The movie, which was a major production by the US, was based on the autographical novel by Karen Blixen and Isak Dinesen, and was shot at a cost of$31 million in 1984/85. Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Klaus Maria Brandaur were the main actors.

Even in today's standards, this production was a hefty investrnent in Kenya. Best of all, the movie won seven Oscars in 1986. In a big way, the film not only portrayed Kenya as an exotic safari destination, but also gave the tourism sector a major boost. Sadly, the producer vowed never to set . a foot in Kenya again because of "red tape, corruption and a lack of cooperation from officials."

Although the situation has improved immensely today, many big productions still prefer shooting their African scenes in South Africa because it offers a 35 percent tax rebate upfront, which is a benefit producers do not enjoy in Kenya. It is the reason why the movies, Man eaters of Tsavo, and I dreamed of Africa, all with Kenyan themes, were shot in South Africa.