• Kenya’s tourism sector generated an increased revenue of 83% in 2022 compared to 2021.

• The government plans to focus on emerging markets like Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

Kenyan Tourism Minister revealed on Wednesday that the revenues generated from the tourism industry increased by 83% in 2022 compared to 2021, although it did not exceed the pre-covid-19 pandemic levels in 2019.

During a press conference in Nairobi, the Minister of Tourism, Peninah Malonza said that “revenues reached 268.09 billion Kenyan shillings, almost 2 billion euros, against 146.1 billion shillings in 2021, representing a growth of 83%”.

Malonza told reporters that Kenya offered beach holidays along its Indian Ocean coastline and wildlife safaris inland. The United States was the main source of tourists in 2022, accounting for 16% of arrivals, followed by Uganda with 12%, Britain (10%), and Tanzania (10%).

In 2022, Kenya recorded an influx of 1.5 million tourists, with visits up 70% from 2021, but it did not reach the pre-pandemic level, despite the gradual lifting of restrictions. In 2019, Kenya received about 2 million tourists. Last May, the authorities announced that tourism contributed to the GDP up to 10% before Covid. The Minister said that Kenyan authorities will focus their marketing efforts on emerging markets including Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. 

David Gitonga, the Chief Executive of the State Tourism Research Institute said “tourism earnings are projected to rise to 425 billion shillings, approximately $3.37 billion this year, before increasing to 540 billion shillings in 2027”.

According to Kareke Mbuiki, Chairman of Parliament’s tourism and wildlife committee, the tourism sector was also facing serious challenges, stating the cuts for infrastructure required by the sector, as part of a broader economic drive by the government.