Naomi Campbell wants to inspire people to travel to Kenya. The supermodel, who is known for showing her love for the continent, was recently selected as the official international ambassador of tourism for the East African country.
“Supermodel Naomi Campbell has agreed to be Magical Kenya International Tourism Ambassador. She will help promote the marketing of Kenya as an ideal tourism and travel destination to the world,” the ministry of tourism said in a statement according to CGTN Africa. The tourism ministry shared the official announcement with photos of the supermodel meeting officials to mark her partnership.
“We welcome the exciting news that Naomi Campbell will advocate for tourism and travel internationally for the magical Kenya brand,” Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said in the statement. The country’s tourism sector has been impacted severely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is attracting visitors to safely visit the destination as one of the countries open for American travelers since travel restrictions began.
NAOMI CAMPBELL TO BECOME MAGICAL KENYA INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR. pic.twitter.com/6fw63u86d4
— Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife-Kenya (@Min_TourismKE) January 12, 2021
The announcement also came with criticism from social media users with some asking why was the supermodel chosen before others who were from the country or still live here. “Let’s address this because it’s clear it’s time for @tunajibu to retire … so Apparently Naomi Campbell is to become #Magicalkenya International Ambassador,” wrote one user on Twitter. “#Kenya has International celebrities like Lupita, Debra Sanaipei, Christine Wawira, but he picked a non Kenyan for this? How?”
Balala defended the ministry’s decision sharing a photo with Campbell stating that her position “doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it.”
Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it. #MagicalKenya 🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/o4HEllieid
— Hon. Najib Balala (@tunajibu) January 12, 2021