The government is aiming to increase the number of international tourist arrivals from 1.9 million in the current financial year to 4.22 million in the 2026-27 period.
A report by the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife further shows the government is expecting the earnings from increased arrivals to almost double during the period.
The report on the Consideration of the 2024 Budget Policy Statement said earnings are expected to rise from Sh347.4 billion to Sh759 billion during the period.
Committee chair Kereke Mbiuki, in his presentation to the Budget and Appropriations Committee, noted that the State is further seeking to increase the number of international guests hosted from 24,261 to 28,085 during the fiscal period.
He noted that the State Department for Tourism is undertaking digitisation efforts, aiming to establish and manage a National Tourism Service Portal.
"This initiative seeks to disseminate comprehensive information about Kenya's tourism offerings to prospective visitors, thereby bolstering the country's appeal as a desirable destination," he told the Ndindi Nyoro-led committee.
He said the portal, additionally, aims to improve service delivery within the tourism sector.
He noted that Kenya Utalii College, renowned as a leading hospitality training institution, has expressed interest in extending its reach to additional regions, including Narok County with plans to establish a facility within the area.
Mbiuki said the department is building capacity for the hospitality industry by increasing the number of graduates from Kenya Utalii College from 278 to 316 in two years.
The proposed ceiling for the State Department for Tourism in the Budget Policy Statement for Financial Year 2024/2025 is Sh10.9 billion consisting of Sh10.3 billion under recurrent and Sh606.7 million under development vote.
The resource requirement for the department is 13.83 billion, which puts the funding gap at Sh2.9 billion.
Mbiuki further noted that the Tourism Regulatory Authority is in the process of formulating regulations pertaining to Airbnb operations.
"These regulations will undergo public participation before implementation," he said.
Mbiuki added that the department has critical projects it wants to consider for additional funding of Sh1.12 billion.
The projects include national mapping and development of tourism niche products, coastal beach management programme, tourism policy and legislative reforms and establishment of national tourism amenities.
