NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya’s tourism sector exhibited substantial growth in 2024, reinforcing its crucial role as a key contributor to the national economy.
The total number of visitor days spent in Kenya increased to 18.6 million in 2024, a rise from 17 million in the previous year. The average length of stay also saw a slight improvement, from 11.9 days to 12.1 days, indicating that tourists are spending more time exploring the country’s attractions.
According to the Economic Survey 2025, published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), strategic initiatives implemented by the government and private sector stakeholders led to an increase in international visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy rates, and the average duration of visits.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei stated, “The concerted efforts made to diversify tourism products, improve connectivity, and enhance the visitor experience are bearing fruit. We are thrilled to see positive indicators across the board, with growth recorded in key segments like Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.”
The survey revealed that international visitor arrivals across all entry points grew by 14.7%, reaching 2.39 million in 2024. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) recorded a 10.1% increase in arrivals to 1.63 million, while Moi International Airport in Mombasa experienced a more significant jump of 30.6% to 204,900 arrivals. The number of Kenyans traveling abroad also increased by 5% to 1.42 million.
Chepkemei attributed these positive figures to strategic initiatives such as the successful implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, proactive marketing campaigns, and the resumption or introduction of several long-haul airline services. Digital innovations have also facilitated easier access to information and online bookings for tourists.
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The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, identified as a priority, also demonstrated strong growth. Data from the Economic Survey indicated a 2.3% increase in international delegates attending conferences in Kenya, reaching 999 in 2024, while local conferences saw a 4.7% increase to 11,225.
Domestic tourism maintained its post-pandemic growth trajectory, with hotel bed-nights occupied by Kenyan residents at coastal properties rising by 11.8% to 2,468,700. Overall, Kenyan residents accounted for 4,910,800 hotel bed-nights in 2024, highlighting the sector’s increasing resilience through local market development.
Hotel performance indicators suggested potential for further expansion, with total bed-nights occupied reaching 10,262,100 out of 35,544,800 available, representing a 28.9% occupancy rate. Peak occupancy was recorded in December 2024 at 36.3%, while room occupancy peaked in November 2023 at 38.6%.
Chepkemei concluded, “We are delighted to see all our collective efforts resulting in an improved tourism performance. As we move forward, we will continue collaborating with stakeholders to ensure Kenya provides a world-class tourism experience to leisure and business travelers.”
