Kenya Tourism Industry to Receive $1.2 Billion Boost

Written by Makula Dunbar

Jun 25, 2013

Tourism revenue in Kenya, the country’s second-biggest foreign exchange earner, is forecast to rise to more than 100-billion shillings ($1.2bn) this year, Muriithi Ndegwa, head of the tourism authority, says. East Africa’s largest economy expects a lift after the passage of peaceful elections in March eased tourists’ concern about violence and political instability, Mr Ndegwa, Kenya Tourism Board MD, said in Nairobi on Monday.

“We expect to surpass the 100-billion shilling mark this year on increased visitors as a result of the peaceful elections,” he said.

Arrivals may rise 10%, he predicted. The tourism industry is Kenya’s second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue, following agriculture. Tea is the country’s largest foreign-income earner.