Kenya is working hard to attract more tourists by improving travel options and strengthening relationships with other East African countries.
At the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in Uganda, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano explained how better roads, flights, and easier travel between countries are helping Kenya grow its tourism industry.
“By enhancing connectivity between Kenya and our East African neighbors through expanded air routes, improved infrastructure, and simplified visa processes, we are not only boosting visitor numbers but also enriching the travel experience,” said CS Miano.
Infrastructure and Internet
With tourism and trade receiving a significant lift from improved transportation links and streamlined travel procedures, the Kenyan government is now focused on expanding airport infrastructure, roads, railways, and high-speed internet to open up remote destinations and cater to digital-savvy travelers.
In 2024, Africa brought in 975,883 tourists to Kenya, about 40.8% of all international visitors. Among African countries, Uganda leads with 31.7% of the visitors, followed by Tanzania (28.5%), Somalia (11.4%), and Rwanda (9.2%).
CS Miano highlighted the importance of working closely with the private sector to improve infrastructure and streamline services like immigration, saying these efforts are key to boosting Kenya’s position in the global tourism industry.
As part of its regional push, Kenya aims to increase Ugandan visitor arrivals by 27% to 300,000 by the end of 2025. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), which hosted over 260 exhibitors, 70 international buyers, and 5,000 trade visitors, provided an ideal platform for Kenya to showcase its offerings.
Kenya Airways’ Uganda Country Manager, Felix Mwangangi, revealed the ongoing joint marketing campaigns between the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and the travel trade to increase visitor interest.
The airline currently operates four weekly flights between Kenya and Uganda but remains flexible to scale up capacity depending on demand.
Mwangangi expressed optimism, citing growing interest from Ugandans and momentum ahead of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) scheduled for October 1–3, 2025, in Nairobi.
Kenyan Coast Attracts Ugandan Tourists
On the coast, Kilifi County Chief Officer for Tourism, Adrian Baya, highlighted the growing popularity of beach holidays, golf tourism, weddings, and honeymoons among Ugandan travelers.
The Vipingo Ridge Golf Course, the only PGA-accredited course in Africa, has become a major draw. Kilifi’s tourism strategy now focuses on linking local and Ugandan tour operators to widen marketing reach and enhance collaboration.
Kenya’s presence at POATE helped build stronger tourism links in the region and raised the profile of East Africa in the global tourism scene.
