Kenya’s tourism earnings grew to KES 268.09 billion in 2022 compared to KES 146.51 billion in 2021, indicating a growth of 83%.
The International tourist arrivals were 1483752, representing a 70.45% increase as compared to 2021 arrivals of 870465.
Jomo Kenyatta airport recorded a growth in passengers by 44% growth as compared to 2021. The growth was also recorded in domestic airports such as Kisumu, Malindi, and ukunda indicating a recovery in the aviation sector in both international and domestic travel. The same growth was recorded for domestic travellers to the coast and other tourist regions in the country.
The country recorded an increase in flight landings in all airports for both international and domestic visitors. An increase in charter flights was also noted in Mombasa, where some new charter flights from Europe were reported. The increase in charter flights contributed to the growth of leisure travel in most regions of the country.
The number of visitors to Kenya was higher than in 2021 but still lower than those in the year 2019. The recovery rate of 72.4% against 2019 arrivals was higher than the global average of 63% recovery. This may have been attributed to relaxed travel restrictions that allowed leisure and business travel.
The United States of America remained Kenya’s biggest source market, followed by Uganda and Tanzania.
The recovery and performance in the tourism sector may be attributed to visitors’ change in travel behaviour and perceived risks associated with travel, relaxation of travel restrictions and vaccination against Covid-19.
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