Tourism earnings hit Sh40.5bn as arrivals reach record high

Thursday, August 25, 2011 — updated on December 18, 2020 - 2 min read

Statistics released by Kenya’s ministry of Tourism indicate that 549,083 tourists visited Kenya in the first six months of 2011, surpassing the previous high hit in 2010 by 13.6 percent. (See Tourism earnings pick up as global recession eases) Photo/FILE

Tourism earnings rose 32 per cent to Sh40.5 billion in the first half of 2011 on increased tourist arrivals.

Figures released by Tourism minister Najib Balala show that tourist arrivals between January and June rose to 549,083 from 483,468 recorded in the same period in 2010 in the period it earned the country Sh30.7 billion.

This growth now promises to push the sector closer to reclaiming its spot as the country’s best forex earner which it lost last year to tea (Sh97 billion) and horticulture (Sh78 billion).

“We learnt from the 2008 post election violence period the need to diversify both our products and our markets. This is why we are confident that we shall achieve a 20 per cent overall growth by the end of the year,” said Tourism Minister Najib Balala.

The sector's earnings dropped from Sh65.2 billion in 2007 to Sh52.7 in 2008 but has since recovered having posted a 15 per cent growth last year to hit the Sh73.7 billion mark last year.

“The first half is usually slower since it constitutes majority of the low season. But as we head to the rest of the year, we expect even bigger numbers,” Mr Balala said.

The sector which is also benefiting from a weaker shilling that has dropped from a high of Sh75.8 to the dollar in January to Sh92.40 is upbeat that the growth momentum will be maintained to the end of the year.