This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
Kenya's tourism sector has experienced a significant boost, with earnings increasing by 3.9% to Sh163.6 billion in 2019, up from Sh157.4 billion in 2018. This growth is attributed to various factors, including global online consumer campaigns and sustained investment in security by the government.
According to the report released by Tourism CS Najib Balala, the country welcomed 2.05 million tourists during the same period. The top ten source countries for tourists were the USA, Uganda, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, India, China, Germany, France, Italy, and South Africa.
The report highlights the importance of air connectivity in driving the growth of international arrivals, with entry points such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport experiencing substantial growth of 6.07% and 8.56% respectively. In contrast, land borders registered a decline of 12.69%.
Kenya's diverse range of products, including beach holidays and safaris, has contributed to the growth in tourism earnings. However, the country still lags behind African competitors like South Africa due to frequent political upheavals and insurgent attacks.
Between 2012 and 2015, visitor numbers and tourism earnings declined following a series of attacks claimed by Somalia's al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab. The government's efforts to improve security and attract tourists have been ongoing, with the aim of increasing tourism earnings and promoting the country's rich cultural heritage.
