Tourism Sector 56bn up in 2006

Written By:Emmanuel Toili
Posted: Wed, Jan 31, 2007

The tourism sector earned 56 billion shillings last year up from 49 million shillings recorded in 2005.
Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director, Dr. Ongong'a Achieng' attributed the increase to major airlines increasing flights into the country and aggressive marketing campaigns.
In as much as the tourism industry has recorded an increase in tourism an arrival of 1.8 million last year, the sector faces a cutthroat challenge in bed capacity.
The hotel industry had to contemplate accommodating the enormous delegates attending international conferences.
The bed occupancy hence increased to 25,000 last in comparison to domestic bed occupancy of 15,000 last year. Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director, Ongong'a Achieng' said the hotel sector requires to increase its bed capacity by 10,000 every year.
Speaking at a press conference, Ongong'a said the hotel industry was incurring high energy costs at extra costs of 6 million annually.
Last year, the United Kingdom led in tourism arrivals registering 171 thousand visitors. The North American market regained its second position, closing the year with 86,500 tourists.