Kenya’s tourism hits record arrivals and KSh501 billion in earnings

More visitors are coming to Kenya than ever before. The country recorded 2,652,540 international arrivals in 2025, a new all-time high, according to the government's annual tourism performance report.

The numbers

• 2025 arrivals: 2,652,540, up 7.2% from 2,474,551 in 2024, itself a record.
• 2025 earnings: KSh501.34 billion from international visitors, up 10.55%.
• First quarter of 2026: 653,919 international arrivals, up 11% from 589,285 a year earlier.

More flights have helped. Several airlines, including Kenya Airways and Etihad, have added routes and frequencies into the country.

More hotels on the way

Investors are betting the growth will continue. In 2026, Kenya had 35 international hotel-chain projects with 6,190 rooms in the pipeline, the largest ever recorded.

Why it matters

Tourism is one of Kenya's biggest sources of foreign currency and jobs, from safari guides to hotel staff and farmers who supply food. It helped make hotels and restaurants the fastest-growing part of the economy in early 2026. Kenya is also working to spread tourism beyond safaris and beaches, through sports tourism in Eldoret and live wildlife streams.