Tourism brought in Ksh 142.5 billion for Kenya in the first half of the year.

Kenya welcomed just over a million tourists in the first half of the year, generating Sh142.5 billion in revenue. This represents a 21.3% increase from the same period in 2023, which saw 847,810 visitors.

June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, attributed the revenue growth to a rise in domestic tourism, which recorded 2.25 million bed nights—a 10% increase from 2.06 million last year. She noted a significant rise in tourist visits to regions beyond the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which is currently operating at full capacity due to the wildebeest migration season.

During her visit to Maasai Mara, Chepkemei highlighted the importance of the Mara as a base for tourists to explore other regions after witnessing the spectacular annual wildebeest migration. She praised the sector’s ongoing growth in domestic tourism, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to promote sustainable practices and enhance the visitor experience.

Chepkemei also announced the upcoming launch of the second phase of the Tembea Kenya campaign, aimed at attracting more domestic travelers.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Erustus Kanga, who joined the tour, stressed the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism practices in maintaining Kenya’s competitive edge as a tourist destination. He highlighted the increasing interest in sustainability among modern travelers and KWS’s collaboration with government agencies, sectors, and communities to promote conservation initiatives.

Kanga also emphasized the need to empower communities through nature-based enterprises such as crocodile farming, ostrich rearing, chameleon breeding, aloe cultivation, beekeeping, and guinea fowl farming. He encouraged the public to support the KWS #TunzaMaliYako campaign, which aims to foster public involvement in nature conservation as a vital aspect of national development.