The Kenya Association of Travel Agents predicted an increment of 50,000 jobs within the travel sector by the end of the year 2024.
Following a report issued by the World Travel and Tourism Council, Kenya’s tourism sector is expected to post record high revenues in the current year which will culminate in the creation of more jobs.
According to the WTTC, in 2024 the sector will account for 1.6 million jobs in Kenya.
This figure has been quoted to represent almost 8 per cent of jobs in Kenya.
KATA further stated that this a growth curve from the 1.55 million jobs in the sector reported in 2023 representing a six per cent growth year on year.
“Sector jobs grew 6% to reach a record 1.55MN, accounting for one in 13 jobs across the country,” read the report in part.
Further, the Economic Impact Research (EIR) revealed a record-breaking year for Travel and Tourism in Kenya, contributing Ksh 1 trillion to the national economy in 2023.
Additionally, according to the global tourism body’s latest research, Travel and Tourism’s contribution to the Kenyan economy is forecast to grow 9 per cent year-on-year to reach almost Ksh 1.15 Trillion in 2024.
However, despite the predicted growth in the industry, KATA has predicted that local tourism spending will account more for the growth than overseas visitor spending.
Domestic visitor spending is expected to continue driving the sector to reach Ksh 521 billion, but spending by travellers from overseas is forecast to remain below the previous high to reach Ksh 289.5 billion.
Julia Simpson, the C.E.O of the WTTC, however stated, “Although international visitor spending is currently lagging behind its high point, the future of Travel & Tourism in Kenya looks strong, with substantial opportunities for growth and development over the next decade.”
Further details provided by the organisation have also predicted that with the right government support, the sector could grow its annual GDP contribution to Ksh 1.7 trillion by 2034, representing 7.4 per cent of Kenya’s economy, and could potentially employ more than 2.2 million people across the country.
