Kenya Open elevation boost for our tourism

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala at the Karen Country Club's practice putting green [photo courtesy ]

The year 2018 was quite significant for Kenya as a tourist destination in many respects. To start with, it was during that year that the number of visitor arrivals in Kenya crossed the two million visitors mark - marking a 37.3 per cent growth over the number of arrivals recorded in the previous year. The level of tourism earnings increased by 31.3 per cent to Sh157.3 billion in 2018.

The growth in tourist arrivals and earnings was largely attributable to political stability, improved security, withdrawal of travel advisories by Kenya’s key source markets, visits by celebrities and influential individuals; as well as growth in the aviation sector, with the key highlight being the commencement of direct, non-stop flights between Nairobi and New York City by the national carrier, Kenya Airways.