Travel demand to and from Kenya currently at -69.9pc in June 2021-data

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 23- Kenya’s travel sector has witnessed a slight improvemet in both outbound and inbound search demand and booking volumes for 2021 YTD vs. the same period in 2020.

This is according to a new report by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) and Amadeus East Africa. 

According to the report, travel demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels owing to international travel restrictions in key markets in Europe, North America, and Asia.

However, in June 2021 there was growth in searches and bookings to EAC countries with Tanzania leading as a leisure destination and to the UAE.

During the same period, there was a growing demand for inbound travel into Kenya from USA, Germany and UK. Domestic travel searches remain high as people are looking to travel more within the country.

Overall travel demand to and from Kenya stands at -69.9percent in June 2021 compared to same time in 2019.

The data presented indicated that COVID-19 related restrictions were a showstopper as 84 percent of respondents said they won’t travel if there is a chance of quarantine.

The United Nations’ World Travel Organization (UNWTO) has asked countries to start lifting travel restrictions to significantly improve traveler confidence.

Safe Travel Ecosystem: Preparing for Recovery

Speaking during the webinar, Jamel Chandoul Senior Vice President, MEA Amadeus noted that recovery will be driven by rebuilding traveler confidence and trust; trust for travelers that travel is safe and trust that governments can control the pandemic.

According to global data presented by Amadeus drawn from the “Rebuild Travel Digital Health Survey 2021” 92 percent of global travelers still have concerns about travelling – the top 3 travel concerns in 2021 are; 48 percent,  mixing with crowds at airports, 47 percent trust issues if accommodation is adhering to health and safety guidelines and 46 percent safety and cleanliness of public transport.

The survey findings indicated that confidence to travel is high and the current appetite for travel stands at 41 percent globally.

Travel demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels owing to international travel restrictions in key markets in Europe, North America and Asia.

However, in June 2021 there has been growth in searches and bookings to EAC countries with Tanzania leading as a leisure destination and also to the UAE.

During the same period, there has been a growing demand for inbound travel into Kenya from USA, Germany and UK.

Domestic travel searches remain high as people are looking to travel more within the country.

However, overall travel demand to and from Kenya stands at -69.9percent in June 2021 compared to same time in 2019.