This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
Kenya's tourism industry has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years, with a slight drop in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter. However, the ministry of Tourism is optimistic about the future, expecting a possible 10% increase in arrivals compared to 2018.
The growth is attributed to the strong performance of key markets, including the US, which saw a 9.4% increase in tourist arrivals. Direct flights to the US have been a major contributor to this growth, and other markets such as France, Uganda, and China have also played a significant role in boosting the tourism sector.
At the launch of the Kenya Tourism Satellite Account, a platform aimed at ascertaining the tourism sector's total contribution to the economy, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala highlighted the ministry's strategic efforts to tap into new markets, including Russia and India. He also noted the potential of the North African market, which has been affected by political instability in recent years.
With the current political stability and heightened security, the industry is expected to perform well going forward. However, the Dusit attack in January may have contributed to a decline in tourist arrivals from South Africa, the UK, Germany, Italy, and possibly India in the first half of the year.
