Amidst the positive vibes that the travel activities will start getting momentum in the year 2021, Kenya sees the Indian market as key to the revival of tourism going forward. Official statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife indicate that Kenya registered a total of 122,649 travellers from the Indian market in 2019.
In 2020, statistics for the period between January to October, the total number of tourist arrivals into Kenya from India was 25,251. The decline is attributed to the travel restrictions imposed by both Kenya and India as part of the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO, Dr. Betty Radier, Kenya’s superior product offerings places are above other destinations in terms of attractiveness to Indian travellers.
“Kenya is blessed with many tourism offerings that excite travellers from across the globe. The Indian market is one that has continued to uptake our tourism offerings for many years. Kenya and India continue to have cordial relations especially because both countries are bound by both history and culture. It is certainly not by mistake that India has been one of our key source markets,” she said.
Dr. Radier further assured tourists from India of their safety while in the destination. She said, “I would like to assure you that Magical Kenya is safe and ready to welcome you back. We have in place Tourism and hospitality protocols within the hotels, and tourism attractions and experiences as well as our airports to ensure everyone’s safety while travelling.”
As part of the health and safety protocols, passengers traveling to Kenya are required to undertake a COVID-19 test at least 72 hours to their departure and further produce the physical copies of the same on arrival.
The Yellow fever vaccine continues to be a mandate for each Indian traveler visiting Kenya across all age groups; travelers would thus need to possess a valid vaccine card upon their arrival into Kenya.
Visa applications are to be done online and incur a charge of 50$. There are scheduled direct flights from Mumbai to Nairobi by Kenya Airways three times a week.
