At least 83,932 Kenyans visited national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries across the country on World Tourism Day, taking advantage of free entry offered by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to celebrate the occasion.
The Nairobi Animal Orphanage recorded the highest turnout with 21,485 visitors, followed closely by the Nairobi Safari Walk with 20,818.
Other popular destinations included the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary (14,435), Nairobi National Park (6,431), and Hell’s Gate National Park (3,077).
In a statement on Sunday, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) expressed gratitude to tour operators and local communities for their service.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the local communities and service providers – from hiking guides and tour guides to boat operators and cultural hosts – whose contribution enriched the experiences of thousands of visitors,” KWS said in a statement.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, affirmed that the country’s tourism sector is on an undeniable upward trajectory, citing the surge of both local and international tourists.
Speaking at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa during the national celebrations on Saturday, CS Miano stressed that the tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with a new record of 2.4 million international arrivals in 2024, marking a 15 per cent increase from the previous year.
She hailed tourism's role as bringing about sustainable transformation for the country.
"On this World Tourism Day, we affirm tourism’s role as a driver of sustainable transformation. We are challenged to ensure that tourism protects our heritage, empowers communities, and secures prosperity for future generations," Miano said.