Tourism stakeholders urge fewer travel barriers, more direct flights to Mombasa to boost arrivals
KAHC National Chairman Chris Musau called on the government to liberalise Kenya’s airspace by allowing more charter flights to Mombasa and Nairobi, arguing that protecting Kenya Airways from competition was ultimately counterproductive.
Tourism stakeholders in Kenya are urging the government to simplify travel procedures and improve air connectivity, especially by introducing more direct flights to Mombasa, as they work toward the ambitious target of attracting five million international tourists by 2027.
Speaking during the 21st Annual Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Symposium held in Mombasa under the theme "Towards 5 Million," industry leaders highlighted the need for urgent policy reforms and greater investment in the sector.
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KAHC National Chairman Chris Musau urged the government to open up Kenya’s skies by licensing more charter flights to Mombasa and Nairobi, stressing that shielding the national carrier, Kenya Airways, from competition was counterproductive.
“The government should avoid limiting charter operators just to protect one airline. More options for travellers mean more arrivals for us,” Musau said.
He said the country must diversify its tourism portfolio by tapping into niche markets and strengthening policy and regulatory structures to match shifting global tourism trends.
According to the Tourism Research Institute, Kenya recorded 2.4 million international visitors in 2024, a 15 per cent rise compared to 2023.
Revenue
Tourism revenue also climbed by nearly 20 per cent, reaching Sh 452.2 billion from Sh 377.49 billion the previous year. However, Musau warned that recurring political protests continue to damage Kenya’s image abroad, undermining marketing efforts and discouraging potential tourists.
“When we attend trade shows abroad, people ask us about the unrest, and unfortunately, we have no good answers. The government should dialogue with the youth rather than resort to force. Stability is critical for tourism growth,” he said.
Echoing this, KAHC CEO Mike Macharia said expanding the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) segment could help push Kenya closer to its five-million-tourist target.
“We need to host more international conferences. It is time the government considers putting up another convention centre, perhaps at Bomas of Kenya, through a public-private partnership,” Macharia proposed.
He stressed that engaging Kenya’s youth in economic dialogue is essential for sustainable national development.
“We cannot grow this economy without involving young people. They are the future leaders, and peace and stability are non-negotiable,” Macharia added.
On a positive note, the government received praise for recent improvements in transport infrastructure, which have enhanced domestic travel and improved tourist mobility.
Mohamed Osman, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Culture and Tourism, said with the right strategies, Kenya could reach the five-million mark as early as 2026.
He urged full implementation of the open skies policy to increase tourist arrivals.
“We have seen how Zanzibar, with similar demographics and culture to Mombasa, attracts 800,000 visitors because of an open sky approach. Kenya should follow suit and allow more direct international flights to Mombasa,” Mohamed said.
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