Tourism

Kenya has long been a popular tourist destination and the sector continues to be a critical industry for the country, although it has taken a number of serious knocks recently amid insecurity and travel advisories issued by several Western nations. Tourism directly accounted for 4.8% of GDP in 2013, or $2.09bn, with a total contribution to GDP of 12.1%, or $5.28bn. These contributions are forecast to rise by 2.9% and 3.1%, respectively, in 2014. The sector directly supported 226,500 jobs – 4.1% of total employment – in 2013. Tourism’s total contribution to employment was 10.6%, creating 589,500 jobs. While it is unlikely that international tourists from traditional markets will return to 2011 levels until confidence in security increases, the sector’s marketing efforts should replace some traffic. Kenyans reliant on tourism are likely to suffer in the short term, but a transition to business travel and domestic tourism may mitigate these external shocks.

This chapter contains interviews with Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism (MoEAACT); and Martin Dunford, Chairman, Tamarind Group.