The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage has released a report showing improved performance for the sector in the year 2022 after the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While presenting the report, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza stated that this sector accounted for 10.4% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5.5% of Kenya’s formal employment.
Ms Malonza revealed that the number of visitors to Kenya was higher than in 2021 but still lower than those in the year 2019 which makes the recovery rate at 72.4% against 2019, above the global average of 63%.
The CS added that the sector is also instrumental in the social-economic wellbeing of Kenyans with multiplier effects in trade, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and transport among others.
“The 2022 sector performance was impressive compared to the year 2021. International visitor arrivals in the year 2022 closed at 1,483,752, which represents a 70.45% increase compared to the previous year’s arrivals of 870,465,” said Malonza.
She noted that growth was attributed to many source countries dropping their Covid-19 restrictions and opening for travel.
The CS disclosed that the Ministry is looking to develop and diversify its products in the areas of flora tourism, agro-tourism, aqua-tourism and adventure, which are growing globally.
Further, Ms Malonza said that if training institutions for hospitality like Utalii College are packaged well, learners would equally get better opportunities in the global market.
“Each country should come up with funds that will aid in times of disasters, as such various governments should be preparing on how to manage certain disasters,” she said.
At the same time, State Department for Tourism Principal Secretary (PS) John Ololtuaa highlighted the significance of the report, citing tourism as a critical industry in Kenya in terms of generation of income and also preserving the nation’s culture and heritage and other natural resources.
“Therefore, everything that we do in the Tourism sector is very critical in the transformation of our country,” he stressed.
The PS added that the state department will scrutinize the report to align it to the Government’s Bottom-up manifesto.
Source: MY Gov