Kenya’s travel industry begins recovering

Kenya’s travel industry has began to show a positive trajectory for travellers this year.

According to the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), the country has seen a slight improvement for both outbound and inbound search demand.

The outlook by Amadeus search and agency, shows a growing demand for inbound travel into Kenya from USA, which had 43% of total demand, Germany had 8%, UK 7% and Canada 4%.

In East Africa, Tanzania is the leading destination travelled to by Kenyans especially for leisure activities following the relaxation of COVID-19 border restrictions.

And as countries impose restrictions on travel, domestic travel appears to be on the rise. The survey shows overall travel demand to and from Kenya stood at 69.9% in June 2021 compared to same time in 2019.

84% of respondents indicated they will not travel if there is a chance of quarantine. According to the United Nations’ World Travel Organization (UNWTO), it is important for countries to start lifting travel restrictions to significantly improve traveller confidence.

The data by Amadeus, shows 63 percent of International travellers searching for Kenya in June, planned to travel within the next three months. This is 10 percent higher than the average daily search activity of international travellers interested in Kenya.

Kenya’s tourism and travel industry has taken a beating from the coronavirus pandemic, with Tourism Research Insitiute indicating over 1.2 million jobs lost translating into a hundred and ninety two billion shillings lost in direct labour eranings.