Kenya was, on March 7, ranked among the top countries whose tourism industries performed exceptionally well during the holidays.
According to Gulf News, a Dubai-based news outlet, Kenya was one of the countries that attracted tourists after the pandemic.
In 2022, the United States was the biggest source of foreign tourists in Kenya, with 209,360, contributing highly to dollar circulation in the market.
Kenya also received an influx of tourists from Uganda, Tanzania and England.
“As tourists make up for time lost during the pandemic, many tourists especially from the United States are increasingly travelling to Kenya in what is termed as ‘Revenge travelling’,” Gulf News stated.
According to the Tourism Research Institute (TRI), Kenya made Ksh274 billion in 2022, receiving up to 1.48 million tourists.
The figure increased from Ksh149 billion in 2021 when Kenya only received 870,465 tourists.
In February 2023, the government announced plans to increase earnings by Ksh425.4 billion by December 2023 by capitalising the cruise, sports, cultural and adventure tourism.
“Tourists on holiday led at 36.6 per cent, followed by those visiting friends and family at 27.8 per cent of the total.
“Visitors on business and MICE took third position with 27.2 per cent of the total visitation, "Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza revealed on February 2023.
Additionally, a report by TRI noted that Kenya could earn more from tourism if the government leveraged on developing adventure tourism resorts near major adventure spots such as Mt. Kenya.
Other countries ranked on the list together with Kenya included Spain, Maldives, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Hong Kong, Thailand, South East Asia, Saudi Arabia, the Balkans, Switzerland, Armenia, and Mexico.
