The government has urged Italian investors to help set up an international airport in Malindi.

Addressing participants at the ongoing Kenya Tourism and Cultural Week in Milan, Italy, Mr Balala said the airport will facilitate start of direct flights from Italy to Malindi and boost tourism.

Malindi, Watamu and Diani are popular with Italian tourists who normally use chartered flights to Mombasa.

Speaking at the Kenyan stand, he said that initial plans to establish the airport did not succeed since investors thought the government was not interested.

"The government is serious. We want investors to team up with us and establish the airport under private public sector partnership. We are ready to fast-track the process," Mr Balala said.

The minister urged Italians to visit Kenya saying the country was safe, had recovered from post-election violence and that it was the best tourists destination in the world.

Mr Balala also announced that another Utalii College will be established in Coast Province.

Responding to calls by some Italians for the improvement of capacity of tour guides and their tourism industry staff, Mr Balala said the college will soon be set up adding that the land for the purpose had already been identified in Changamwe.