- Players in Kenya’s tourism industry asked to offer unique and cutting-edge services and experiences to tourists. Last year, international arrivals in Kenya rose by 70.45% to 1.48 million from 870,465 in 2021.
- The inbound receipts also rose 83% to $1.9 billion from $1 billion prior.
- This is, however, a far cry from 2019 when 2.05 million arrivals landed in Kenya
By embracing innovation in tourism, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) says players in the industry can further enhance tourism offerings and attract a larger number of visitors. East Africa’s largest economy has been experiencing a return to near pre-pandemic levels in international arrivals. KTB, however, is challenging stakeholders drive innovation in tourism to drive the numbers further up.
Innovation in tourism to remain relevant
Speaking on the sidelines of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC) annual symposium in Mombasa, KTB Chairperson, Francis Gichaba, said innovation in tourism was a sure way of remaining competitive and relevant.
In order to stay ahead of the curve in the quickly evolving tourist industry, he advised offering guests unique and cutting-edge services and experiences. He emphasized that in today’s fiercely competitive tourism sector, product innovation is essential for drawing in and keeping customers whose expectations are constantly rising.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the tourism industry, where innovation and creativity hold the key to sustainable growth. It is, therefore, imperative that we all come together and actively embrace product innovation by offering fresh and compelling experiences to our visitors, and by doing so we can elevate Kenya’s position as a preferred tourist destination,” he said
Gichaba added, “in line with our mandate to grow and market Kenyan tourism, KTB will continue to look at innovative ways of showcasing both our key products as well as diversifying to meet the varied preference of visitors. Travelers are looking for new destinations and we must be able to position ourselves in the market as a preferred destination.”
Gichaba asserts that among other opportunities to increase tourism, Kenya may simply capitalize on cultural events, partnerships with athletes, and the thriving entertainment industry.
Partnerships with legendary Kenyan athletes
Kenya is particularly renowned for its success in marathon running. Kenyan athletes have consistently dominated major marathons around the world, including the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, London Marathon, and Berlin Marathon. The country has produced legendary marathoners like Eliud Kipchoge, who became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019.
The country has also produced outstanding athletes in disciplines like the 800 meters, 1,500 meters, steeplechase, and long jump. Kenyan athletes have consistently achieved success at global competitions, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Diamond League events.
Kenya has been working closely with athletes to boost the profile of the country’s brand internationally. “Sportsmen and women representing Kenya in international competitions are the ambassadors that the tourism sector has leveraged on to create top-of-mind destination awareness,” Tourism minister Peninah Malonza said in January.
KTB boss stated that greater attention needs to be paid to strategic marketing initiatives that would monitor changes in the purchasing habits of both domestic and international tourists. Gichaba stated that KTB would provide the essential marketing assistance through collaborations and coordinated advertising efforts.
Industry leaders from the hospitality sector shared ideas at the KAHC Symposium on how to improve service, and increase guest experience. Gichaba gave stakeholders the assurance that KTB would keep forging alliances with key participants in the sector, including counties.
Eco-lodges part of innovation in tourism
Other significant issues raised at the event were the need for improved pricing for African visitors in an effort to increase arrivals as well as a call for increased capacity for air access at the coast to accommodate a bigger number of foreign guests.
As a top destination for eco-aware tourists, Kenya may position itself through innovation in sustainable tourism practices. Kenya can also demonstrate its dedication to environmental conservation by creating waste management programs. Implementing renewable energy alternatives, and supporting responsible tourism activities can also come in handy. Tourists that value sustainability and ethical travel may also be drawn to innovative ventures like community-based tourism, and eco-lodges.
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Kenya has established numerous wildlife conservancies. These community-led initiatives focus on wildlife conservation and sustainable land use. These conservancies involve local communities in wildlife protection. They offer livelihood opportunities, and help reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
Kenya’s tourism industry on a recovery path
With the influx of foreign visitors last year, Kenya’s tourism industry saw a huge increase. The number of visitors to Nairobi increased by 70.45 percent to 1.48 million from 870,465 in 2021.
Because of this, inbound receipts increased 83 percent to $1.9 billion from $1 billion in 2021. Nevertheless, this was a significant decrease from 2019, when the East African nation reported 2.05 million arrivals.
The country is aiming for 10 million international visitor arrivals inr the next five years. The government has already launched a variety of strategies to meet the lofty arrival targets. According to Gichaba, Kenya will coordinate its marketing efforts so that the objective can be attained gradually by 2027.
