Tourism Sector On Recovery Path As Kenya Records 870,000 International Arrivals in 2021

Kenya registered a 53.29 percent growth in the number ofinternational visitor arrivals in Kenya in 2021 that stood at 870,465, as comparedto 567,848 in 2020 according to data released today by the Tourism ResearchInstitute.

Performance was undermined by the upsurge of the Delta variant of Covid–19during the first quarter but registered steady growth from June to December. Thisis an indication of a steadily growing trust for the Magical Kenya destination,which can be credited to renewed marketing efforts as well as confidence onthe country’s efforts to contain the spread of Covid–19.

The growth was alsosupported by innovative products offered to both domestic and internationalmarkets by major players mainly hotels and domestic airlines. Hosting of majorsporting events specifically the WRC – Safari Rally and the World Athletics Under20 also helped a lot to rebuild confidence on destination Kenya.

“The 34.76 percent increase translated to Ksh146 billion ($ 1.46 billion) in revenue, ascompared to Ksh88 billion ($885 million) in 2020, indicating that we are on anupward trajectory. The numbers are still low, but we are optimistic that we willeventually go back to our all–time high international visitor arrivals that is 2019, oreven surpass it. This is because majority of our masses are vaccinated andinternational visitors will have faith in our destination again,” said CS Balala.

Out of the 870,465 international arrivals, 299,802 (34.44 percent) were on holiday,257,357 (29.57 percent) visiting family or friends, 229,804 for business and meetings,incentives, exhibitions, and conferences (MICE)– 26.40 ercent, 46,654 (5.36 percent) ontransit, 19,053 (2.19 percent) for education, 8,737 (1 percent) for medical purposes, 7,010
(0.81 percent) for religion, and 2,048 (0.24 percent) for sports.

The top five international arrivals by country are, USA (136,981), Uganda (80,067),Tanzania (74,051), UK (53,264), and India (42,159).

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport remains the major point of entry with644,194, Moi International Airport 48,749, and others 177,522.

In January to September 2021, the bed occupancy rates increased to a total of4,138,821 as compared to the same period in 2020 (2,575,812) recording arecovery of 60.7 percent.

This sustained recovery of the hospitality sector was largelysupported by domestic travellers (domestic bed nights grew by 101.3 percent whileinternational bed nights grew by 0.05 percent).

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