According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international arrivals from January to December 2016 reached 1.23 billion, 46 million more compared to 2015 figures. In Kenya, international tourist arrivals increased by 16.7 per cent to 877,602 compared to the previous year.

In Tanzania, the figure grew by 10.42 per cent to 1,020,816 between January and October. Last year marked the seventh consecutive year of sustained growth following the 2009 global economic crisis. “Tourism has shown extraordinary strength and resilience in recent years despite many challenges, particularly those related to safety and security,’’ UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said.

“Yet, international travel continues to grow strongly and contribute to job creation and the wellbeing of communities around the world.”

In Europe, international arrivals reached 620 million last year — 12 million more than in 2015 — while in the Americas arrivals rose by four per cent to 201 million, eight million more visitors compared to 2015.

In Africa, the arrivals jumped by eight per cent to 58 million tourists while Asia and the Pacific had 301 million. The Middle East received 54 million global arrivals, a decrease of four per cent compared to 2015. UNWTO projects international arrivals worldwide to grow at three per cent to four per cent this year. According to statistics from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), arrivals through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport jumped by 16.2 per cent to 782,013 last year compared to 672,789 visitors in 2015. At Moi International Airport arrivals grew by 22.2 per cent to 92,872 compared with 75,983 visitors in 2015. On the other hand, arrivals by cruise ships at Mombasa port declined by 17.7 per cent to 2,717 compared with 3,302 visitors in 2015.

In terms of share of arrivals during the period, the US emerged as Kenya’s top source tourists after overtaking the UK which for years has been the country’s leading market.