Travel & Tourism in Kenya grew faster than the regional average and significantly above other economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
In 2018, Travel & Tourism grew 5.6% to contribute KSHS 790 billion and 1.1 million jobs to the Kenyan economy. This rate of growth is faster than the global average of 3.9% and the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.3%.
This makes Kenya the third largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria both of which grew substantially less than Kenya in 2018.
In total, international tourists spent over KSHS 157 billion in Kenya last year, accounting for over 15% of total exports. The largest inbound international markets were the USA (11%); UK (9%); India (6%); China (4%); and Germany (4%). Combined with domestic spending, Travel & Tourism supported 8.8% of the nation’s GDP in 2018.
Više od 25 godina Svjetski savjet za putovanja i turizam (WTTC), which represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism, has produced the authoritative research on the economic contribution of the sector. This year’s research shows that:
- Travel & Tourism in Kenya grew at 5.6% last year – ahead of the global average of 3.9%
- This contributed 8.8% to Kenya’s GDP, worth KSHS 790 billion (or US$7.9 billion dollars) when all direct, indirect and induced effects are taken in to consideration
- Travel & Tourism is responsible for 8.3% of all Kenya’s employment, or 1.1 million jobs
- GDP contribution is projected to grow by 5.9% in 2019
Speaking from a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said, “Africa is one of the great success stories of global travel as the second fastest growing region in the world – and Kenya lies at the heart of the region, a popular and renowned destination that has seen huge growth in tourism activity and value over the past year.”
“I would like to particularly acknowledge the vision of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his commitment to Travel & Tourism as a means of driving economic growth and alleviating poverty. The Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife, under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, must be congratulated for growing tourism at a rate above the global and regional average and for attracting over two million international visitors for the first time in 2018.
Speaking at the event, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Najib Balala elaborated on the gains of the sector and expressed his satisfaction on the overall achievement of this key sector that contributes substantively to the economy.
"The gains of the sector are as a result of co-ordinated efforts between various arms of government, whom the tourism sector has engaged, as well as the concerted efforts in marketing Kenya as a destination of choice,” CS Balala pointed out.
O Svjetskom vijeću za putovanja i turizam
WTTC is the body which represents the Travel & Tourism private sector globally. Members consist of CEOs of the world’s Travel & Tourism companies, destinations, and industry organizations engaging with Travel & Tourism.
WTTC ima istoriju od 25 godina istraživanja za kvantifikaciju ekonomskog uticaja sektora u 185 zemalja. Putovanja i turizam su ključni pokretač investicija i ekonomskog rasta na globalnom nivou. Sektor doprinosi 8.8 biliona dolara ili 10.4% globalnog BDP-a i čini 319 miliona radnih mjesta ili jedno od deset svih radnih mjesta na planeti.
Više od 25 godina, WTTC je glas ove industrije na globalnom nivou. Članovi su predsjedavajući, predsjednici i izvršni direktori vodećih svjetskih kompanija za putovanja i turizam u privatnom sektoru, koji donose specijalizirana znanja za usmjeravanje vladine politike i donošenja odluka i podizanje svijesti o važnosti sektora.
