Kenya`s tourism arrivals surpass two-million mark

Source: Tourism Update, 10/01/2019

The Tourism Sector Performance Report 2018 was presented to the Head
of State by Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, revealing the
increase in international tourist arrivals, which jumped from 1 474
671 in 2017 to 2 025 206 in 2018.
The top source market for foreign tourists to Kenya was the US with
225 157 travellers, representing 11.12% of the total arrivals. This
represents a 50.85% increase, up from the 114 507 travellers who
toured the country in 2017.
The US market favours Kenya for its safari options, with numerous
national parks and reserves to choose from. Jobanputra says a small
portion of these travellers also include a luxury beach getaway to
Diani or Lamu.
Other top markets included Tanzania, with 212 216 arrivals, followed
by Uganda 204 082, the UK 184 002, India 125 032, China 81 709,
Germany 78 388, Italy 65 134, South Africa 49 993, and France 48 189.
According to the report, 73.9% of 2018’s international arrivals
visited Kenya for holiday purposes, 13.3% for business and
conferences, and 6.7% visited the country to see relatives or
friends, while 6.4% entered the country for other reasons.
The report further revealed that the country earned Shs 157 billion
(€1.3 billion) in tourism revenue last year, up from Shs 119 billion
(€1 billion) in 2017, translating to a 31.26% growth.
Despite the 31.26% increase in earnings, Kenya’s President, Uhuru
Kenyatta, has challenged tourism stakeholders to be more creative and
aim to improve the quality and range of services on offer in the
country in order to compete globally, mentioning that if the sector
does not offer high-quality services, major tourism marketing
campaigns will not be useful.
The sentiment was shared by Jobanputra who told Tourism Update that
although many resorts were upgrading their properties, different
types of accommodation offerings were being introduced, and more
attractions and activities being developed, there was demand for
more.
“We still have not got a national idea of whether we want to attract
more visitors or high-end travellers, but diminishing wildlife
numbers due to increased human activity is worrying, as well as
competition from neighbouring countries and Indian Ocean islands,”
concludes Jobanputra.