The latest report by the world's top travel site TripAdvisor has ranked Nairobi number three in the world on the list of 'destinations on the rise'.
Nairobi was ranked third after Ishigaki in Japan and Kapaa in Hawaii and number one in Africa followed by Casablanca (Morocco).
"The winners were decided using an algorithm that measures the year-on-year increase in positive TripAdvisor ratings for restaurants, hotels, and attractions, plus the number of destination bookings compared to previous years," TripAdvisor stated.
[caption caption="Girrafes at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi"]
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According to the site, Nairobi's good performance can be attributed to the city's favorable weather, hype in terms of nightlife and the presence of a national park within the city.
"[Nairobi is] an energetic, modern city that serves as a fascinating introduction to both wildlife and nightlife.
[caption caption="Nairobi National Park entrance"]
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"Music clubs pulse with life, shops, and markets bustle, and a mélange of restaurants will tempt your palate in this former Maasai watering hole," the site explained.
The main attraction areas according to TripAdvisor are; Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Centre.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer Betty Radier , in a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke, attributed the good ranking of the city to it's strategic location, stunning attractions and improved infrastructure.
"For us, it is an endorsement as a destination and we are very excited.
"Nairobi is a regional hub, you can easily travel to the destination. Connectivity in terms of direct flights and good transport infrastructure has also played a huge role in the city's good performance," she explained.
She further noted that the city had become a business tourism centre that many organisations turned to when conducting conferences and seminars.
Some of the facilities she cited included Kempinski and Radisson Blu among others.
[caption caption="Exterior view of Villa Rosa Kempinski at night"]
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The KTB boss also addressed the introduction of direct flights from Nairobi to New York, stating that it was a shot in the arm that would boost Kenya's tourism industry.
