Tourism Records Growth in 2019
Tourism Records Growth in 2019
There were 23,628 more international tourists last year than in 2018 according to a report released by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala.
International tourist arrivals increased from 2,025,206 in 2018 to 2,048,834 last year, depicting a 1.2% growth according to the 2019 Tourism Sector Performance Report launched at a Nairobi hotel.
The increase translated into a 4% growth in revenue for the country from over 157b recorded in 2018 to 163b last year.
The CS lauded the service industry and international hotel brands operating locally for contributing to the growth. He added that there was need to implement positive changes in sectors like air travel in order to further promote tourism.
"Tourism and aviation must be connected. We need a new international airport, a new state of the art convention centre and a state department for aviation. Without a proper convention centre and airport, we will see tourism dwindle."
National Treasury and Planning Acting Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani, described the report as evidence of sustained growth and insisted on the need for financial support and need to take advantage of emerging tourism trends for further growth.
"It is not only about setting up hotels alone. It is about finding the niche. We have internationally renowned athletes. People would love to come and see how these athletes live and what they eat." He said.
Yatani invited tourism stakeholders to discuss relevant financial input by the Treasury as the Ministry plans the 2020/2021 budget saying the national government has a duty to support tertiary tourism sectors like aviation to spur the future growth of the sector.
"It is important to support tourism as the National Treasury by increasing or doubling resources to institutions that support tourism. Kenya Airways is important in the continued growth and prosperity of the sector," He said.
Political stability, ease of doing business, improved security and marketing efforts have been stated as the main drivers of tourism growth in 2019.