The largest economy in the EAC, Kenya is a major player in both the region and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. Over the past few decades its market has transformed from being largely agrarian into one of the most diversified and innovative on the continent, even developing a thriving technology sector that some have dubbed the Silicon Savannah. However, the nation is not without its challenges, and
Home to 60 national parks and reserves, a broad offering of cultural and historic attractions, and over 500 km of sunny coastline, Kenya has seen its tourism sector rise to become the second-largest foreign exchange earner in the country. However, a spate of terror attacks since 2011, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and ongoing security concerns have weighed heavily on the sector, with 2015…
Kenya has seen a steady rise in tourist arrivals for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) over the past few years. In 2015 the country hosted 117,630 foreign arrivals taking part in MICE activities, representing a 13% increase on the 2014 total, and 15.6% of all international tourist arrivals for the year. To boost the segment, in September 2016 Najib Balala, cabinet secretary…
Stronger brand recognition, an improved security climate and higher capacity are driving growth in Kenya’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism segment. Kenya has seen a steady rise in MICE tourist arrivals over the past few years.In 2015 the country hosted 117,630 foreign arrivals taking part in MICE activities, representing a 13% increase on the 2014 total, and…
Kenya has one of the biggest and most diverse tourism industries in East Africa, with offerings in a range of niches including the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) segment and safari ecotourism. However, in recent years challenges have arisen for the sector that have negatively affected the country’s economy, including two high profile terrorist attacks. Following the attacks,…
Interview:Mahmud Janmohamed What are the main obstacles for the sector? MAHMUD JANMOHAMED: The Tourism Recovery Task Force recently submitted a report to the president that included input from the industry’s main stakeholders and detailed the challenges the sector is currently facing. The principal obstacle is the negative perception of Kenya as a destination. We see this as primarily a public…
Interview:Robert Muriithi Ndegwa What specific initiatives is the KTB currently undertaking to speed the recovery of the market? ROBERT MURIITHI NDEGWA: We are working to engage local industry stakeholders – public and private – as well as the international market, and we have put several measures in place to address the needs of the sector. First, we have created a Tourism Recovery Task…
With leisure tourism in Kenya impacted by current global perceptions of the country’s security situation, the industry is turning to the business travel segment to make up the shortfall, with increasing emphasis being placed on the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) segment. Prospects It is hardly surprising that Kenya has turned to this niche to stimulate growth. MICE is…
New system devolving power to county governments. Strengthening ties with Western and Asian partners. A key role in an effort to create stability in the region. Closer East African integration to enhance growth.
The tourism industry is going through a challenging period, as security concerns have taken a toll on the leisure segment. The government and private investors are working to improve security and, in the meantime, the sector is diversifying and focusing on areas such as business tourism and the domestic segment. Kenya has one of the biggest and most diverse tourism industries in East Africa, with…