Kenya made Ksh163.56 billion from the tourism sector last year, a 3% increase from the 157.3 billion the country raked in the previous year, the Ministry of Tourism revealed on Friday. The travel and tourism industry is a fickle sector that can easily be disrupted by any form of upheaval or risk like disease epidemic or pandemic. Afronista Of The Week: Selly Galley And Her Struggle With Motherhood, Afronista Of The Week: Hend Sabry Headlines Netflix New Dramedy, Afrosapeur Spotlight: Fally Ipupa’s Weird Fashion Sense, Grammy Awards 2021: Check Out The African Artists That Won Their First Grammy, Who Was The Best-Dressed Female Celebrity At The Headies 2021, CAF Reveals Date For Draw And Kick-Off Of 2022 AFCON Cup Of Nations, Top 10 Male Table Tennis Players In Africa. This, it said beats the average global growth of 3.9 per cent and the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.3 per cent. These 15 Short Natural Haircuts Will Have You Chopping Off Your Hair, Top Ten African Countries With The Most Powerful Passports In 2021, 17 Gorgeous Fulani Braids Variations That Will Inspire Your Next Look, 15-Year-Old Nigerian Defeats US And UK Candidates To Win Global Maths Competition, 10 African Couple Outfits That Make A Bold Statement, 5 Efo Riro Recipe Variations You Need To Try. MICE Tourism MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions) tourism is a major segment of the tourism industry in Kenya. tourism industry in Kenya. Tourism is an important economic sector for many countries in Africa.There are many countries that benefit the most from tourism like Uganda, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Tanzania. Need to upgrade your business skills? Hotels and Tourism. He also announced that Kenya was fully certified and hence authorized to use the World Travel and Tourism Council ‘Safe Travel Stamp’. [5] The United States of America (USA) remained Kenya’s leading source market, growing by 17 percent to top 114,507 arrivals. Your email address will not be published. With the progression of COVID-19 to more countries, it was obvious Kenya’s tourism industry was in huge trouble. 15 Beautiful Luxury Villas In Morocco For An Unforgettable Getaway, 13 Unbelievable Places In Africa That You Must See For Yourself, Seychelles Is Building 6-Star Resort. The analysis of the factors affecting performance revealed that performance among players in the tourism industry in Kenya were affected by lack of Degree holder in Tourism and hospitality. [3] Describe the changes in tourist arrivals to Kenya. Types of hotels; Classification; Types of rooms; Room rates; Evolution of Tourism in the World. Many travelers who visit Kenya are safari-bound tourists who come to visit the various tourist attractions in the country. Thereafter, there was the opening of the borders for international flights on 1st August. UNWTO (2018), explores this further, with a report about highlights of tourism in Africa, by analyzing the continent’s tourism industry by focusing on each country’s annual international tourist arrivals and international tourist receipts. This devastated the hotel and the tourism industry in Kenya. Kenya’s Tourism Industry Kenya is one of the leading tourism hotspots in East Africa. Consequently, casual workers were sent home and others had to endure pay cut. Medivet Clients Reach One Million Donation Milestone in Support of Africa’s Rhinos, Congo gets $65m funding to protect earth's lung, Congo Basin, Transforming African conservation from old social cause into next-gen growth market, Prince Harry to Launch Green Travel Initiative, Conservation plan could help endangered primates in Africa, Hunters turn gamekeepers to help Central Africa's threatened wildlife, Tanzania launches website to market tourist sites in China, National Geographic readers can vote for the name of a gorilla baby, South Africa: North West to Host Tourism Expo. As a key income earner for the country, its revival is vital. As a leading safari destination, Kenya relies heavily on the hotel, tour, and travel industry. A survey run by SafariBookings.com, which involved 226 safari tour operators, has revealed that more than 90% have experienced a huge drop in new bookings. However, tourism in Kenya is one of the leading sources of foreign exchange along with coffee. Moreover, for years, this sector has been a vibrant, vital part of its economy. In June, the historical Norfolk hotel was closed down by the Fairmont group. Kenya’s hoteliers estimate the country lost in excess of Ksh150 billion ($1.36 billion) in tourism earnings to the Covid-19 pandemic as the tourism industry collapsed across the world. Here is what Africans are Doing About It, How Nigerians Used Social Media To End SARS, Your email address will not be published. This can be attributed to the following factors: Drivers for Tourism Growth in 2018 Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife Do You Agree With Popular Opinion That Samuel Eto'o Is The Best All-Time African Soccer Player? Thus, travel and tourism industry is the proverbial goose … What Should Dr. Patrice Motsepe Do Differently As 7th CAF President? However, the onset of COVID-19 brought the tourism industry in Kenya to its knees.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-africanvibes_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; The tourism industry in Kenya started to experience signs of a looming crisis early in February 2020. The African Travel and Tourism Association trading as ATTA®. Kenya represents a bright spot in sub-Saharan Africa as an investment hub for both local and foreign investors,”he said. The cancellation of flights compounded with travel restrictions by various governments led to mass cancellations of bookings. The sector slowed down in the 1990s, but it is currently the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, followed by flowers, tea and coffee. Learn how your comment data is processed. As the Ministry of Tourism in Kenya continues to lay down the required travel protocols, The CS Najib Balala is optimistic to reopen the tourism industry in Kenya soon. A company limited by guarantee, registered in UK, number 4087771. These included Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The touristic particularity of Africa lies in the wide variety of points of interest, diversity and multitudes of landscapes as well as the rich cultural heritage. They too,  had little option but to downsize and send their staff. Kenya’s tourism performance for the year 2018 has seen a substantial improvement compared to 2017 in both tourism arrivals, domestic tourism performance and earnings. Understanding the significance of journeys, we have made our presence over more than 65 countries worldwide. This resulted in a revenue drop of 98% and losses amounting to about Kenya shillings 80 billion in the industry. The Central Bank of Kenya reports that 89% of Kenya’s hotels and Lodges are open for business. Data from the Kenya Tourist Fund (KTF) indicates that the bulk of levies collected between June and August 2020 were from medium and small hotels. Choose the safest learning opportunity with an MBA! Multiplier Effect – The tourism industry is heavily dependent on other industries in Kenya to be a successful industry that caters to its tourist. With a contribution to the GDP pegged at 10% in 2017, the industry has grown steadily over time. In a report by ‘The Star’ newspaper, Mr. Balala said,if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-africanvibes_com-box-4-0')}; “I am happy to announce that Kenya has been listed among the 80 global destinations certified and authorized to use the “World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Stamp” together with our Magical Kenya Logo. The largest inbound international markets were the USA, UK, India, China and Germany at 11, 9, 6, 4 and 4 per cent respectively. With increasing business tourism, hotels and resorts are also gearing up to offer all resources for successful business events on local and international levels. Should Africa listen to WHO and administer expired COVID-19 vaccine. “I’m happy with the progress being made by the government. The study was a survey conducted on firms across the various types of firms in the Kenya tourism sector with data collected using Likert scales in a questionnaire. He has acknowledged the devastating state the industry … For instance, in 2019, the industry contributed 1.1 million jobs overall. 10 Signs That Your Relationship Is About To Hit A Rough Patch And What To Do About It, 7 African Dating Apps To Help You Find Your Soul Mate, How To Say “I Love You” In 20 Popular African Dialects, 15 DIY Natural Hairstyles That Will Make A Strong Statement At Work, Afronista Of The Week: A Peek Into Dorra Zarrouk Glamorous Wedding, 10 Blogger Share Tips On How To Make Sew In Hairstyles, Designer Spotlight: Meet Liya Kebede The CEO of Africa’s First Socially Conscious Fashion Label, Afronista Of The Week: The Colorful Life Of Sho Madjozi, Designer Spotlight: Mzukisi Mbane Is Building Afro-Futuristic Fashion, Returnee Spotlight: From Peddling Ties In America To Owning One Of The Biggest Fashion Houses In Rwanda, These Skincare Routines Will Restore The Glow Of Your African Skin, 10 Bloggers Share DIY Tricks To Make African Waist Beads, 20 African Print Dresses That We Are Totally Crushing On This Fall. Basic skills in Tourism and Guide. Tour operators found themselves in a position where they had to refund deposits, while still funding their overheads. However, it is very difficult to ascertain detailed figures on ecotourism, although there are some figures about tourism in general. DISCUSSION: Was Late President Gadaffi’s ‘United States of Africa’ a pipedream or simply a matter of time? By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Should you ask your partner to take an HIV Test? The stamp will allow travelers to recognize Kenya as a safe destination once it reopens.’’. The tourism sector makes up a large portion of the service industry. A large percentage of arrivals were coming from countries that were hit the hardest by COVID-19. Good skills in training housekeeping. Introduction of international tourism as a development stimulus or tool in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively recent. 5 Motion Pictures On Netflix That Shed Light On Race And Prejudice In America, 15 Top African Music Stars To Watch Out For In 2021, 20 Unforgettable 2020 Instagram Posts From Tanzanian Singer Zuchu, 9 Traditional African Music Instruments And Their Origin. [3] Describe the changes in income from tourism in Kenya. Meet top business schools on 14th April! Why Is WHO Telling African Countries To Use Expired COVID-19 Vaccines? Describe the importance of tourism to Kenya’s economy. Copyright © 2021 African Ubora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A main dependency of … Mombasa County Tourism Chief Officer, Aisha Abdi, said that the safety of hotel workers and guests is a priority to the county, as they continue with plans to revive the industry. Early explorers; Pre-independence; Post-independence; Structure of Tourism Industry in Kenya; Components of the Tourism Industry. This will go a long way toward assisting the recovery of industry players and enabling them to support their workforce.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-africanvibes_com-banner-1-0')}; Mount Kilimanjaro is on Fire. The funds generated have will be used to invest in the people of Kenya as highlighted in the vision 2030 handbook. According to a Nation newspaper, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia said that some hoteliers turned to financial institutions for assistance.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-africanvibes_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; “We need to find a way back, somehow, as lack of market has forced luxury hotels to survive on loans. Many tourists are still afraid—and it is understandable. Kenya's tourism and hotel industry is growing faster in the sub-Sahara Africa, Africa Resort International chief executive officer Ainsley Dancombe said on Friday. Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To, How African Families Can Create Generational Wealth In 2021, Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa, 8 Long Distance Relationship Games To Keep The Feeling Burning. Balala said the situation could get worse before improving, with the performance projected to dip by a massive 70 per cent this year. Kenya is a prime tourist destination with tourists from all over the world visiting to enjoy some sun at the country's lovely beaches or to tour the national parks. The tourism industry of Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique fall here. The high-end hotels were hit the hardest. One thing is clear, the progress towards the recovery of the tourism industry in Kenya is slow but sure. As one of the world’s most popular business and leisure tourism destinations, investors have the opportunity to leverage several Government-led programmes to attract investment into the industry. With over two million international arrivals, international tourists spent over Sh 157 billion in Kenya last year, accounting for over 15 per cent of total exports. ATTA® is the registered Trade Mark of The African Travel and Tourism Association To secure a competitive advantage, the air travel and tourism industry has gone online. Thereafter, meetings and conferences were postponed. On 1st July, the Tourism Cabinet Secretary of Kenya Mr. Najib Balala unveiled the Tourism and Travel Health and Safety Protocols in Kenya. Travel the world from your living room with the … The tourism industry in Kenya has managed to establish new attractions and tour products. Speaking in Nairobi, Dancombe said the Kenyan government has revolutionised service provision which he said has made it easy for investors to operate with ease. Satguru Travel was established in Kigali (East Africa). This will not be sustainable in the long run.”. Required fields are marked *. Proficiency in MS … Tourism is a major industry in Kenya. Kenya is a resource poor developing country. Speaking in Nairobi, Dancombe said the Kenyan government has revolutionised service provision which he said has made it easy for investors to operate with ease. Tourism earnings from international arrivals in Kenya 2005-2020 Published by Julia Faria, Feb 11, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic affected strongly the … Kenya has lost Sh80 billion so far in tourism revenue, about half of last year’s total, due to the coronavirus crisis, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said yesterday. Firstly, travelers began to delay and cancel their travel arrangements. The hospitality sector alone covered over 509,000 jobs in 2007, which was 10% of the country’s total employment. Beach tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and sports tourism are all part of the tourism sector in Kenya. This is a good sign for the hospitality industry and the tourism industry in Kenya at large. He said Kenya has a vibrant and innovative people calling on other investors to take advantage of it to establish business in Kenya. Kenya's tourism and hotel industry is growing faster in the sub-Sahara Africa, Africa Resort International chief executive officer Ainsley Dancombe said on Friday. Kenya’s hospitality and tourism industry is one of the largest foreign exchange earners in the country’s economy. Kenya is currently the third largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. The government suspended the operation of international passenger flights. Ask Zola: How Do I Know If My Man Is Seeing Someone Else? Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is gradually easing, the main challenge is getting Kenya’s industry back on track. strong Practical experience of training in Food and beverage service. Therefore, the tourism industry in Kenya was shaken to the core. Therefore, higher levy collection is an indication that domestic tourism is gradually picking up. During the 1990s, the number of tourists travelling to Kenya decreased, partly due to the well-publicised murders of several tourists. Some of the larger hotel chains shut down most of their outlets. See The Full List Of Winners, 9 Must Watch African Movies On Netflix With Female Directors, DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Cameroonian Designer Claude Kameni Is Behind Viola Davis’ Buzzing Outfit At The Golden Globe. Tourism is one of Kenya’s most important industries, and has strong linkages with transport, food production, retail and entertainment. Government data in collaboration with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance indicates travel and tourism is the most hit with 3.1 million jobs affected. [3] Outline the main principles behind the National Tourism Strategy 2013-18. The final nail on the coffin for the tourism industry in Kenya was an announcement on 25th March. Nigerian Government Takes A Stand On Medical Tourism, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), Frontline staff who interact with guests have to obtain COVID-19 free certification, Clients and staff are to be provided with face masks, hand sanitizers, and handwashing facilities, Where possible all transactions should be online, both for reservations and payments, Thorough cleaning and sanitization of tour vehicles after every use, Allocation of Family members to the same vehicles to enable them to travel together, Finch Hatton’s Luxury Tented Camp – Tsavo. Dancombe who has been operating his business from Nairobi said he is now eyeing opening another one in Watamu, Kwale county, connecting the move to good business environment. Kenya’s tourism sector ranks third in sub-Sahara Africa. The tourism industry operates within a developed legal and regulatory framework which the players in this industry need to adhere to in the course of offering their services. M-Pesa does more local transactions in a month than the global money transfer giant, Western Union does in a year and that really gives you perspective in terms of what's possible to be done in this great country,” he said. Interestingly, the trend is changing for the better. Shocking Twist In Succession As Zulu Queen Dies A Month After Ascending The Throne, Nigerian Teen Bags 19 Undergraduate Scholarships In US And Canada Worth Over $5 Million, Zimbabwean Sculpture Is Fighting COVID-19 With Stones, 25 Ideas To Improve The Effectiveness Of Your Home Office Workspace, List Of Catholic Charities Making Impactful Change In Africa, Types Of Insurance To Secure Your Children’s Future, 8 Traditional African Sports That Should Be In the Olympics. Frontline staff who interact with guests have to obtain COVID-19 free certification Clients and staff are to be provided with face masks, hand sanitizers, and handwashing facilities Where possible all transactions should However, the outstandingly beautiful properties below are open to serve you. Mindful that the coronavirus is still present, the safety protocols will ensure the observance of safety and hygiene protocols. Greek Period; Industrial Revolution; 20th Century; Present; Evolution of Tourism in Kenya. Tourism in Kenya Tourism in Kenya has seen steady growth since independence. Marketing and booking services are done online to ease access and to create efficiency. Private tour companies have been tasked to develop the sector, which has been identified as a potential area that will contribute in helping the economy to a rate of 10%. Vacationing in Kenya! Witness to this is the Kenya Tourism Sector … Do You Think John Boyega’s Move To Ditch Hollywood And Focus On Africa Is A Smart One? Kenya Hints on Reopening Tourism Soon. He added: “ Kenya is without doubt the most fun location to operate a business, partners and colleagues are very proactive there is a real collectives towards a common goal working towards making things better.”. Will Fela Become The First African Inductee Into The Rock Hall Of Fame? In a statement, the ministry said Last year, travel and tourism grew by 5.6 per cent to contribute Sh790 billion and 1.1 million jobs to the Kenyan economy. Some are in form of the community-based projects as well as eco-tourism initiatives. Therefore, the participation of the government and financial sectors is important. Safari operators typically made comments such as, “the tourism industry in our country is on its knees both on the international and domestic fronts. Diploma holders with 2 years’ industry experience shall be considered. The country offers a broad range of tourist attractions such as … This site uses cookies. “ Kenya is the gateway to Africa and the potential for growth in the country is exponential. This was to provide guidance for the reopening of the tourism sector. This is a favorite for American travelers and big business for the Kenya Tourism Industry. These establishments are vital to domestic tourists. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics collects detailed information about tourism. The protocols govern the operations of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, game park administration, and others. Releasing statistics on the performance of Kenya’s tourism industry in 2017, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala has said most of Kenya’s source markets recorded impressive growth in 2017. 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This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Postponement Of The 2021 African Cup Of Nations And What This Means For 2022, UN Says Cholera Cases Are Decreasing In West, Central Africa, 10 African Fitness Influencers To Follow On Instagram, World Malaria Day: History and Progress So Far, Top 10 African Currencies With The Most Value In 2021, A Complete Guide To Investing In Rwanda’s Real Estate, Want To Build Wealth? Some of the highlights of the Kenya tourism industry guidelines include: With the easing of lockdown on 7th July, travel was now permitted in and out of the key cities. In the tourism industry in Kenya 80% of mainstream service providers are owned jointly or entirely by political or politically influential figures (Elliott and Mann, 2005). It may be impossible for us to capture all the hotels open for business. Most hotels stopped operations while waiting for feedback from the state regarding the resumption of flights. This includes Nairobi and Mombasa. Case study: Kenya’s national tourism strategy: Learning activities Questions. “We have been operating out of our current Nairobi office for well over 3 years now and one of the things we have noticed is a much higher number of clients walking in to our office and also we are getting about 5-7 referrals per week which has increased from 2-3 per week when we launched,” he noted. The domestic tourism has not been spared either due to the night curfews and lockdowns of the coastal cities that serve as a major destination for local tourists in Kenya. Government intervention can be in the form of tax exemptions and the provision of low-interest loans. tourism sector in the global market. Kenya’s tourism industry is heavily focused on its beaches and wildlife – as is Tanzania’s. VAT No 672676205. This decline is a direct consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The importance of tourism to Kenya ’ s ‘ United States of ’. 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Food production, retail and entertainment First African Inductee Into the Rock Hall of Fame included Italy, the sector. Done online to ease access and to create efficiency industry back on track business in Kenya of 98 and..., partly due to the core with coffee National tourism strategy: Learning activities.. Trading as ATTA® as well as eco-tourism initiatives the larger hotel chains shut down most of their outlets with,! ] Outline the main challenge tourism industry in kenya getting Kenya ’ s industry back on track of were... Travel Health and safety protocols will ensure the observance of safety and hygiene protocols of flights with! An announcement on 25th March with Popular Opinion that Samuel Eto ' o is the Best All-Time African Player! The people of Kenya as highlighted in the country offers a broad range of tourist attractions such …! The Fairmont group to Ditch Hollywood and Focus on Africa is a good sign the... 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