President William Ruto has reemphasised the need to upgrade the country’s airport to increase the number of visitors to the country.
According to Ruto, Kenya expects to receive a record number of tourists at 2.5 million by the end of this year alone.
By 2027, he revealed, the target is to attract five million visitors annually.
“That five million is attainable. Rebecca (Tourism Cabinet Secretary), I will be waiting and counting,” he said.
Ruto pointed out that as the number of visitors continues to grow, the country’s airport including the hospitality industry also ought to be enhanced.
“As I have said, by 2027 we want to five million tourists and that is the reason why we need to expand our airport, we need to expand out facilities, we need to expand hospitality facilities across Kenya because we are the best premier destination in the world,” he said.
Ruto made the remarks when he officially opened the 2024 Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The government has already initiated plans to lease out the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to an Indian firm, Adani Group to expand it.
The initial design capacity of the facility was to serve about 2.5 million passengers per year but over the years this has grown to over 6.5 million.
Adani has proposed to take over the management of the airport for 30 years.
As part of its wider plans to redevelop the facility, it plans to refurbish the existing terminal and construct a 23-million capacity new passenger terminal building.
This has, however, been received with mixed reactions with leaders from across the political divides and workers’ unions strongly objecting it.
Ruto’s statement appears to be in direct support of it.
He also commended Magical Kenya for its efforts to market Kenya outside the world as the best destination to visit.
The four-day event organised by the Ministry of Tourism ends September 4.
MKTE is an annual gathering that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, exhibitors and scholars to explore the future of tourism in Africa.
This year's theme is "Journey Through Time: Exploring African Heritage and Diaspora Tourism.
It emphasises the rich cultural and historical heritage of Africa and its potential to drive sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
The seminar seeks to explore the historical and cultural significance of Africa as the cradle of humanity and its impact on global tourism and to analyze the socio-economic impacts of diaspora tourism and strategies to enhance it.
Participants will discuss sustainable tourism practices that preserve cultural heritage and promote environmental conservation.
They will also evaluate the role of technology in revolutionising tourism experiences and economic outcomes.
Additionally, they will highlight the importance of inclusivity in emerging tourism markets, promoting diverse and authentic local experiences.
