Government and Policy

US And Ugandan Tourists Lead Among Visitors To Kenya

BY Jane Muia · February 23, 2023 01:02 pm

KEY POINTS

International tourist arrivals jumped by more than 70 percent to 1.48 million up from 870,465 in 2021 while revenue shot up 83 percent to 268 billion Kenyan shillings ($2.12 billion) an increase from the 146.51 billion shillings fetched in 2021.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Arrivals from the United States grew 82 percent to 209,360 compared to the 245,437 arrivals recorded in 2019. The ministry of tourism noted that most visitors arriving from the neighboring countries came mainly for business purposes.

Kenya’s tourism sector performance has surpassed the global average projections as the industry continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic setback.

Industry figures show that in 2022 the sector recovery stood at 72 percent from the 2019 visitor arrival levels, which is above the global average recovery rate of 63 percent.

The increase in the number of international tourists in 2022 was on the back of the easing of the covid 19 travel restrictions. Holidaymaking remains the main purpose for visiting Kenya with 36.6 percent f the total visitors who arrived in the country during the period, coming for holiday.

Some 27.8 percent of the total arrivals came to the country to visit family and friends while arrivals on business and MICE came at a close third with 27.2 percent.

The United States was the top market for Kenyan tourism followed by Uganda and the UK at 16 percent,12 percent, and 10 percent respectively. Arrivals from the United States grew 82 percent to 209,360 compared to the 245,437 arrivals recorded in 2019. The ministry of tourism noted that most visitors arriving from the neighboring countries came mainly for business purposes.

The other source markets with a no-figure number of visitor arrivals were India, Germany, Rwanda, and Somalia. Notably 12 of the 30 top market performers last year were from Europe, which together had a share of 40 percent of the total.

Australia recorded the best rate of recovery being the most improved source market country. The arriving visitors increased from 3,376 in 2021 to 11,931 in 2022, translating to a 253 percent growth.

Italy was second, with arrival numbers increasing from 12,207 in 2021 to 31,301, which translated to a 156 percent growth.

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