Kenya Tourism Earnings Double Since 2022 as Arrivals Near 2.8 Million
Kenya recorded 2.79 million international arrivals by June 2026, representing an 88% increase from the 1.48 million arrivals recorded in 2022, according to data from the Government Delivery Unit. Tourism earnings reached KSh564 billion over the same period, up 110% from KSh268 billion in 2022, supported by improved international air connectivity, expanded charter services and the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system. Hotel bed occupancy rose 72.6% to 11.56 million, while domestic bed occupancy grew by nearly 24% to 5.2 million over the same period.
MICE performance also strengthened, with international delegates rising 67.5% to 38,705 and local delegates up 23% to 758,278 since 2022. Kenya has broadened its tourism base through niche events including the WRC Safari Rally Kenya, the Magical Kenya Open and the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, while infrastructure projects including the modernisation of Kenyatta International Convention Centre - now 73% complete - and the Bomas International Convention Centre are adding capacity. On the aviation front, the Kenya Tourism Board signed route marketing partnerships with Emirates and Qatar Airways in September 2026, and is targeting 50,000 annual arrivals from Middle Eastern markets, compared with 20,480 recorded during the 2026 financial year.
Source: Travel Daily News
