Kenya among top nations in tourism index

Kenya has attained position five in Africa in the recent biennial World Economic Forum Travel's global Travel and Tourism Competitive Index for 2015.

This is despite adverse travel advisories and a slump in international tourist arrivals that has led to massive lay-offs at tourism hotels, particularly at the Coast. Kenya surged ahead in the East African region, followed by Tanzania and Rwanda respectively.

South Africa was ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa during the event held in Geneva, Switzerland last week, ahead of Indian ocean island nation of Seychelles. It was ranked at number 48 globally, while Seychelles was second in the region and 54 on the world stage, according to the report by the World Economic Forum.

The report was published in collaboration with Strategy & Bloom consulting, Deloitte, International Air Transport Association, International Union for Conservation of Nature, United Nations World Tourism Organisation and World Travel & Tourism Council.

Seychelles topped the regional rankings in the 2013 report. It was at position 38 globally then, when South Africa held positions three and 64. Mauritius was placed third in the region this year, followed by Namibia, Kenya, Cape Verde, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia respectively as the Sub-Saharan top ten of 2015.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch Vice Chairman Silas Kiti welcomed the rankings, terming them as a boost to Kenyan tourism. "The circumstances we have found ourselves in notwithstanding, this is a shot in the arm and a plus for destination Kenya," said Mr Kiti, who is also the general manager of the Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels.

Kiti said the recent successful visit to Kenya by US Secretary of State, John Kerry and the expected July visit by US President Barrack Obama were clear indications the country was safe to visit.

On the global front, Spain topped, followed by France and Germany. Other traditional travel and tourism destinations – the US, UK, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Japan and Canada – made up the rest of the global top 10.