International tourist arrivals to Kenya up 1.2% in 2019, domestic tourism up 10%

Kenya's Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife reported (10-Jan-2020) the following results from its 2019 Tourism Sector Performance Report:

• International tourism arrivals: 2.05 million, +1.17% year-on-year;
  • Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: 1.42 million, +6.1%;
• Top source markets:
  • US: 245,000, +9%;
  • Uganda: 223,000, +5.1%;
  • Tanzania: 194,000, -5.1%;
  • UK: 181,000, -1.4%;
  • India: 123,000, -1.9%;
• Reasons for visit:
  • Holiday: 63.1%;
  • Business: 13.5%;
  • Visiting family and friends: 10.6%;
• Tourism revenue: KES163.56 billion (USD1.61 billion), +3.9%;
• Domestic tourism: 4.96 million bed nights, +10.4%;
• Solo travellers accounted for 36.1% of international visitors and the proportion is expected to grow in 2020;
• Key drivers of growth in 2019 were growth in the aviation sector, political stability, stable security, greater ease of doing business and investor confidence.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala highlighted the need to implement positive changes in air travel to further promote tourism. Mr Balala commented: "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". [more - original PR]