Tourexpi
Kenya
marked a significant milestone Friday by becoming the first country to
implement a visa-free entry scheme for foreign tourists.
The
East African nation has removed visa requirements for travelers, irrespective
of their nationalities, to encourage a surge in international tourism.
Immigration
Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said Kenya expects to double tourist arrival
numbers by the end of the year.
"We
have made sure that traveling to Kenya is going to be an easy and pleasant
experience. We have been receiving about 2 million tourists per year but we
believe that with this policy shift, the numbers will double, to over 5 million
per year," he said.
Kenya
introduced a cutting-edge electronic travel authorization (ETA) system,
replacing traditional visas with a simple online application process.
The
streamlined process incurs a minimal $30 processing fee, providing a
hassle-free entry experience for global travelers for a 90-day stay.
The
initiative aims to boost the tourism sector and foster international relations.
The
implementation of the visa-free entry scheme comes as part of strategic efforts
to revitalize Kenya’s tourism industry, which has been adversely affected by
global travel restrictions in recent years.
Kenya
earned $1.8 billion from tourism revenue in 2023, according to the government.
Bitok
said once fully operational, Kenya aims to earn $9.5 billion from tourism
revenue annually.
Kenya's
decision to go Visa-free is expected to attract a diverse range of visitors who
have a thirst for the East African nation's rich cultural heritage and natural
beauty.
Tourism
is a vital sector of Kenya's economy, contributing significantly to employment
and foreign exchange earnings.
President
William Ruto declared the nation's decision Dec. 12 to abolish visa
requirements for international visitors, effective Jan. 1.
Image
Credit: © AA
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