Kenya tourist revenue climbs above pre-COVID levels
Revenue rose 31.5 per cent last year to hit Sh352.5 billion (nearly $2.7 billion), a Tourism ministry report says.
Revenue from tourism in Kenya jumped nearly a third in 2023 over the previous year, beating the pre-pandemic numbers, according to the Tourism ministry.
Kenya has been a major tourist destination in East Africa, traditionally attracting visitors from across the world to its wildlife parks and Indian Ocean beaches.
More To Read
A ministry report seen by AFP on Sunday said revenue rose 31.5 per cent last year to hit Sh352.5 billion (nearly $2.7 billion).
But per capita spending in dollar terms by the 1.95 million visitors fell.
"Despite the increase in the number of visitors in 2023 as compared to 2022, the average per capita expenditure in US dollars decreased significantly," the report said.
"This is partly attributed to the sustained depreciation of the Kenya shilling against the major currencies."
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism brought in about $2.24 billion in 2019 from two million visitors or about 10 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Americans accounted for the largest number of 2023 arrivals at 265,310, followed by Ugandans (201,623), Tanzanians (157,818) and 156,700 from the United Kingdom.
The ministry hopes to welcome 2.4 million tourists this year.
In January, Kenya's immigration services said the first batch of foreign tourists had arrived under a simplified "visa-free" entry system it hoped would encourage more visitors.
Top Stories Today
- Justice remains elusive even as UK’s top official meets family of woman murdered by British soldier
- Bill proposes new tax regulations for freelancers, gig workers
- PSC calls for withdrawal of Bill transferring its powers to Head of Public Service
- TVET institutions to certify trainees with skill-based courses from May
- Murkomen clarifies robbery incident targeting tourist involved lone criminal, not gangs
- Treasury lowers tax collection target by Sh40 billion
