Kenya Ranked 4th Best Performing Tourism Destination in Africa at UN Summit
- Kenya is among the countries attending the 2nd UN Tourism Africa and Americas Ministerial Summit held in Livingstone, Zambia
- Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano, representing the country, said the summit presents a great opportunity for the country
- Kenya ranked 4th among the best-performing tourism destination countries in Africa, after it reported growth in the number of visitors
Kenya has been ranked as the fourth best-performing tourism destination in Africa.
Source: Twitter
The recognition came during the 2nd UN Tourism Africa and Americas Ministerial Summit held in Livingstone, Zambia.
The accolade is a testament to Kenya's growing appeal and the remarkable recovery of its tourism sector in the post-pandemic era.
How many tourists visit Kenya?
Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife show that the number of international visitors to the country rose by 15% to 2.4 million in 2024, up from 2.08 million in 2023.
Tourism CS Rebecca Miano revealed this early this year, when the Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report for 2024 was released in Mombasa.
“These numbers are not just statistics — they reflect the hard work, strategic investment, and innovation that have revitalised our tourism sector.
“Our aggressive marketing campaigns, product diversification, enhanced connectivity through new flights, and adoption of digital platforms have made Kenya a competitive global destination,” said Miano.
How much does Kenya make from tourism?
The report also showed Tourism earnings in the country grew by 19.79% from KSh 377.49 billion in 2023 to KSh 452.20 billion in 2024.
Domestic tourism contributed significantly to this growth, with bed-night occupancy rising by 12%, from 4.6 million in 2023 to over 5.1 million in 2024.
Source: Twitter
Cruise tourism, a rapidly growing sector of the travel industry, also witnessed a remarkable growth during the same period under review.
In 2024, Kenya welcomed 6,561 cruise tourists — a staggering 163.5% increase from 2,490 the previous year.
The recognition at the UN Tourism Summit solidifies Kenya’s position as one of the continent’s leading tourism destinations.
Speaking at the sideline of the summit, CS Miano expressed confidence in the sector’s future trajectory.
“Based on current trends and our growth strategy, we remain optimistic that Kenya is on course to welcome 3 million visitors by 2025, potentially generating KSh 560 billion in tourism earnings,” she stated.
Kenya’s diverse offerings — from wildlife safaris and cultural heritage to coastal retreats and adventure experiences — continue to draw international.
UN Tourism Summit
The second UN Tourism Africa and Americas Ministerial Summit is underway in Livingstone, Zambia, from April 8 to April 10, 2025.
The summit mainly brings together Tourism Ministers of UN Tourism Member States from Africa and the US.
Kenya is among the attending countries represented by Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano.
CS Miano said the country is keen on leveraging the platform to deepen international partnerships and showcase its leadership in the sector.
It offers opportunities for the country to promote enhanced regional connectivity and advocate for more efficient visa policies across borders to accelerate tourism growth.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
