Karim: Government gives tourism a wide berth yet again

This year’s budget is almost silent on tourism, a sector that plays a huge role in the economic well-being of the country.

Tourism generates 14 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and employs 12 per cent of the country’s work force and is the largest foreign exchange earner after tea and coffee exports. Kenya is Africa’s fifth largest tourist destination, welcoming approximately 1.8 million visitors annually with nearly half coming from Britain and Europe.