Tourism industry earnings grow to Sh120 billion in 2017

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala (PHOTO: FILE)

NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya’s tourism industry earnings grew 20 per cent in the period to December 2017 to Sh120 billion compared to Sh99.69 billion in 2016, despite the challenge of a prolonged electioneering period.

The number of tourists to the country also grew by 10 per cent, with the total 1.47 million people visiting the destination during the year, compared to 1.34 million in 2016. The improved visitor numbers however fell short of Government and industry expectations, which had projected a 17 per cent growth on the number of people coming to Kenya for holiday and conferencing.