Recent peaceful demonstrations by Gen Z in Kenya escalated into violence last week, raising concerns within the tourism sector. The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) reported an increase in cancellation requests from both international and domestic markets, prompting fears about the industry’s stability.
Despite President William Ruto’s withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill 2024, protests continued, affecting tourism, which is a crucial foreign exchange earner for Kenya. In 2022, tourism revenue surged by 32%, with nearly 2 million international arrivals. However, recent unrest threatens this progress.
KAHC emphasized the importance of maintaining tourism and assured visitors of their safety, while some tour operators reported no significant disruptions. The government has allocated funds to promote tourism and is planning a national classification of hotels to enhance marketing efforts.
Looking ahead, Kenya aims to attract 5.5 million international visitors by 2028, with strategies in place to improve air capacity and develop infrastructure to support this goal.