Building Kenya’s tourism competitiveness in Africa
Recently, a business contact of mine was planning a three-day stopover in Nairobi on his way to Tanzania.. Unfortunately, because of delays in the visa process, he ended up cancelling the Nairobi visit and instead extended his stay in Tanzania. Instead, that revenue went to Tanzania..
Recently, a business contact of mine was planning a three-day stopover in Nairobi on his way to Tanzania.
Unfortunately, because of delays in the visa process, he ended up cancelling the Nairobi visit and instead extended his stay in Tanzania. Those three days could easily have brought Kenya US$1,000 in foreign currency spent on hotels, restaurants, taxis, tourist attractions, and shopping. Instead, that revenue went to Tanzania.
While this example is not unique, the underlying problem can easily be addressed. This represents one of the simplest opportunities for the new Ruto administration to boost tourism.
Read: Growth in employment earmarks Kenya’s post-pandemic economic recovery
Until 2021, people could choose between applying online in advance and getting their visa on arrival. Those who planned their trip well ahead could choose the convenience of the much faster e-visa counter, while those making last-minute travel decisions would still enter the country at the cost of queuing for a little longer.
In 2019, Kenya welcomed an all-time high of 2,000,000 international arrivals. In 2021, the figure was 870,000. With destinations around the globe fighting tooth and claw for their share of the world’s tourists, measures that deter potential visitors are hardly the best way …
The post Building Kenya’s tourism competitiveness in Africa appeared first on The Exchange.