Kenya received more visitors from the United States of America in the first-half of 2023, a new report by Kenya Tourism Board indicates.
The US led as a source market for Kenya’s tourists closing at 118,480 with the market-share of 14 per cent, Uganda is 2nd with 89,968 (10.6 per cent), Tanzania is 3rd with 69,777 (8.2 per cent), UK is 4th with 65,563 (7.7 per cent) and India is 5th with 42,805 arrival (5 per cent).
During the half-year, international visitor arrivals closed at 847,810, a 32 per cent increase compared to the previous half year 2022 which registered 642,861 arrivals. The performance is a 92 per cent recovery when compared to 2019 performance of 929,814 arrivals same period. “Of significance is that June 2023 arrivals closed at 168,051 this is growth of 1 per cent when compared 166,692,” noted KTB.
Purpose of Entry
In the period, holiday was the main purpose of entry closing at 338,509 (39.9 per cent), Business & MICE is 2nd closed at 226,908 (26.8 per cent), VFR is 3rd with 213,417 arrivals (25.2 per cent), On Transit passengers were 44,620 (5.3 per cent), Others (education, medical, religion and sports) closing at 24,356 (2.9 per cent).
The study also noted that some key markets have surpassed 2019 (Jan-Jun) performance, notably US by 7 per cent in 2019 from 110,743 to 118,480; Italy by 15.6 per cent from 22,017 to 25,451; Germany by 4 per cent from 32,142 to 33,418; Rwanda by 34.5 per cent from 18,845 to 25,422; Ethiopia by 66.1 per cent from 11,018 to 18,296; Netherlands by 6.9 per cent from 19,123 to 20,442; Nigeria by 7.3 per cent, from 15,307 to 16,424; Ghana by 28.1 per cent, from 5,137 to 6,583; Russia by 40.8 per cent from 2,514 to 3,539.
Receipts
The tourism sector in Kenya experienced a remarkable upswing in international arrivals leading to a positive effect on the country’s tourism receipts. During this half year 2023, the total tourism receipts surged to Sh152.6 billion, reflecting an impressive growth rate of 31 per cent compared to the previous year’s earnings of Sh116.2 billion.
Domestic Bed Nights:
It is estimated that the domestic tourism also had a positive growth, with bed nights recording a 16 per cent increase in the year 2023 (January – June) closing at 2.3 million, compared to 2.02 million. The best performing months were April and June which can be attributed to the Easter holidays and business travel respectively.
