Kenya recorded 1.96 million tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 1.48 million visitors in 2022, an increase of 31.5% according to figures contained in Kenya Tourism Research Institute’s 6th Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report.
- According to the report, Kenya earned KSh353 billion compared to KSh 268.2 billion earned in 2022.
- While these figures indicate a strong recovery of the country’s tourism business, the sector has yet to hit the pre-pandemic highs of more than 2 million visitors annually.
- Kenya is forecast to receive 2,381,371 tourists in 2024, exceeding the pre-COVID levels.
Despite the increase in the number of visitors in 2023 as compared to 2022, the average per capita expenditure in US dollars decreased significantly. The report attributes this to less spending by visitors due to the sustained depreciation of the local currency against all hard currencies in 2023.
International delegates’ arrival surged in 2023, triggered by the Africa Climate Summit 2023 which was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a regional hub, recorded 40,263 combined scheduled and charter flight landings, reflecting a 7% growth from 2022. However, these figures are still short of pre-COVID levels by 14%.
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