The tourist sector is one of the most important sectors of the Kenyan economy. The sector provides employment to thousands of people directly and many more indirectly. It is the highest foreign exchange earner overtaking agriculture.
Tourism is Kenya’s third largest foreign exchange earner. The tourism industry is growing as a result of the liberalisation measures, diversification of tourist generating markets and continued Government commitment to providing an enabling environment, coupled with successful tourism promotion and political stability.
Looking forward, tourism is expected to remain buoyant in the medium term following the stepped up marketing campaigns. Europe remains the largest and most important source of tourists for Kenya.
Enormous opportunities exist for investment in film production; recreation and entertainment facilities in the following areas:
Investment opportunities in Tourism
- Conference Tourism
- Cultural tourism
- Cruise ship Tourism
- Aviation/tour and travel Tourism
- Eco-tourism
Potential investors can take full advantage of these opportunities through direct investments or joint-ventures with Kenyan entrepreneurs. Opportunities also exist in this sector in the construction of tourist hotels and game lodges all over the country.
Kenya is a vast country with a wide range of potential tourist attractions, which have not been fully exploited. Currently, the tourism industry is mainly concentrated at the country’s coastal area and in the National Parks and Game Reserves. As a policy matter, the Government of Kenya is strongly committed to the regional diversification of this very important industry to other areas for some good reasons. Similarly, the potential for the domestic market has not been fully exploited.
There is also need to identify other tourist attractions besides the existing National Parks, Game Reserves and the Beach. In order to extend the length of stay of “safari” tourists in Kenya, emphasis will be put into the development of inland “resorts” situated close to the national parks and game reserves. It is noted that the main constraint to the development of such resorts has been lack of sufficient investment capital. Participation in such investment ventures will, therefore, be very much encouraged by the Government of Kenya in order to exploit the tourism potential in those areas.