… as Kenya sets to attract 5 million tourists annually by 2027
Kenya has expanded it visa regime items as President William Samoei Ruto unveiled the introduction of Digital Nomad Work Permit and Transit and Long Connection Travellers Eta (Electronic Travellers Authorisation) respectively. The two newly introduced visa items, according to the President, are targeted at increasing the tourist traffic inflow to the country annually.
Ruto made these pronouncements at the opening ceremony of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) yesterday at the Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi. Speaking in the presence of hundreds of travel and tourism operators from across the world, Ruto said Kenya is a premier destination committed to improving on its different offerings.
Kenya, he said posted impressive records last year, making Ksh 352 billion while in the first half of this year, the country recorded Ksh142.5 billion in revenue, with domestic tourism recording 2.25 million bed nights, a 10% increase from 2.06 million in the corresponding period last year. It welcomed 1,027,630 international visitors, marking a 21.3% growth compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 847,810 visitors.
On the expo, with the theme, Explore, Connect, Celebrate: Welcome Home, Ruto said, ‘‘Magical Kenya reflects our status as a premier global tourism destination, and the expo serves as a top platform for stakeholders to showcase our country’s unique offerings to the world.
‘‘Tourism is fundamental to Kenya’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange, infrastructure development, and hospitality growth. By the end of 2023, Kenya welcomed over two million visitors, generating Ksh 352 billion in revenue, a clear indicator of our global appeal. Our target is to attract five million visitors annually by 2027. Achieving this requires concerted efforts from all players in the sector to position Kenya as a must-visit destination.
He further noted, ‘‘Platforms like the Magical Kenya Travel Expo are crucial therefore in realising this vision. For 14 years now, the Expo has provided a reliable platform for B2B meetings, connecting African tourism leaders with global buyers and offering local exhibitors cost-effective promotion and networking opportunities, thus enabling Kenyan businesses, even at the counties to partner with important actors in the international market.’’
With the country having the unique identity as the home of human origins, and, therefore, the first home of humanity, a development, which he said informed its implementation of a visa-free policy, the country has further improved on this with the President announcing the immediate implementation of two new visa regime items to make it easier for more people, especially business and leisure tourists to visit.
‘‘In this respect, I am pleased to announce the introduction of a Digital Nomad Work Permit, specifically designed to welcome global digital professionals, allowing them to live and work in Kenya while enjoying the country’s natural beauty and high-quality lifestyle. Kenya can be your home, where you and your family can experience the
wonders of Magical Kenya every day, all while serving clients from anywhere in the world,’’ he disclosed.
‘‘Additionally, we are introducing a Transit and Long Connection Travellers Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which enables transit visitors to step out of the airport and explore the beauty of their home away from home. Travellers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with time between their connections, will now be able to immerse themselves in Magical Kenya instead of waiting at the terminals,’’ Ruto said.
