This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
Kenya's tourism sector has experienced significant growth, with the country defending its title as the leading tourist destination in Africa at the 2019 World Travel Awards held in Mauritius.
The awards included the best beach destination, prominent meeting and conference destination, and the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) taking home the title of Africa's leading tourist board.
Kenya will host the 2020 Africa and Indian Ocean Gala ceremony, a testament to its growing reputation as a top tourist destination.
Despite facing challenges such as terrorist attacks and political instability, Kenya has managed to bounce back and reclaim its position in the tourism sector.
The country's sports tourism is also on the rise, with the recent success of Eliud Kipchoge breaking the world record in marathon attracting international attention and curiosity.
Kenya's unique and diverse tourism products, including curative spas and golf tournaments, have made it an attractive destination for tourists and investors alike.
Global hotel chains have tapped into the Kenyan market, driven by the growing number of visitors and the demand for more bed capacity.
The tourism industry continues to be a significant employer in Kenya, despite its highs and lows, and domestic tourist numbers have increased significantly in recent years.
The introduction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) and low-cost airlines has made traveling to the Coast faster and more affordable, and the government needs to continue supporting and promoting domestic and international tourism.
Investors in the country need to diversify the tourism products to attract different kinds of visitors, and a new strategy is needed to create new products and reach the five million mark.
Theme parks and adventure tours can greatly diversify the industry and make it more attractive to tourists.
