Eco-tourism has become the new face of Kenya tourism as this East African country faces its best ever tourism year, welcoming new visitor to its cities, parks and beaches
In Kenya tourism is booming – in fact Kenya made $800 million from tourism in 2006 making the industry its best hard-currency earner ahead of horticulture and tea. This year, the tourist board expects revenues to top $1-billion for the first time.
Kenya Tourism took a dip in 1998 and 2002 after US travel warnings because of bombings that were blamed on al Qaeda but it has rebounded vigorously in the past three years, with the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) saying that March 2007 had been the most profitable month on record.
Across the globe Kenya tourism is being sold, especially the game parks like Nakuru and Maasai Mara.
Although tourism is expected to still grow from the traditional US and European markets, Kenya is looking to Russia, China and Japan as the new emerging tourism markets.
Virgin Atlantic’s daily London-Nairobi flights are hoping to carry 100 000 extra passengers to Kenya in the first year.
But the best news is that environmental issues are being taken seriously in Kenya and even the Rift’s stunning pink flamingo’s that were once threatened with extinction by erosion and pollution and “in the pink” thanks to conservation initiatives.
So if you have an interest in Kenya tourism, my advice to you is to book early
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