Kenya among top ten most searched destinations, says report

A new study has linked the recent government initiatives to improve ICT infrastructure with booming local tourism.

The report released Wednesday by hotel booking firm Jovago shows — thanks to a reliable high-speed internet — that up to 63 per cent of Kenyans now book hotel accommodation less than a week ahead of their check-in date as another 26 per cent prefer booking less than a day.

About 51.7 per cent of the Kenyan population had reliable access to the internet by December last year, according to the Jovago East and Southern Africa study.

Also, 53 per cent of Kenyans use online payment methods while 47 per cent pay at the hotel.

"Customers consider mobile payments to be of lower transaction risk compared to card payments," the report says.

KENYA A TOP TRAVEL DESTINATION

The study conducted between 2013 and 2015 puts Kenya among 10 most searched destinations online.

"This is because Kenya's tourism industry is diverse with quite affordable accommodation facilities," the report adds.

However, insecurity, cost of doing business, over-reliance on foreign tourists, among others remain the biggest threats to growth of hospitality sector.

Jovago East Africa Managing Director Estelle Verdier noted that clashes in the Coastal region and rampant terror attacks as well as Ebola outbreak in West Africa threatened to choke the fledgling sector.

"The industry is however getting back on track. The lifting of the United Kingdom ban on nonessential visits on July 2015, President Obama's visit, and scheduled conferences by Africa Travels Association are great endorsements on the country's security which has been a major issue," she said. 

Meanwhile, according to Jovago, Naivasha has the highest demand for five-star hotels at 13 per cent as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Diani Beach tie at 10 per cent.

Nakuru tops in demand for two-star hotels at 43 per cent followed by Nairobi at 27 per cent.

Kisumu has the lowest number of hotel rooms at 7,069, Nairobi has 58,071 and Mombasa has 24,647 rooms.

Most Kenyans, however, are still not frequent travellers, and will mostly travel for familial obligations.

"It is paramount that travel agents, the hotel industry, and the public sector work together to shed light on many of the unknown destinations and thereby support the growth of local tourism," the report says.

Source: Kenya among top ten most searched destinations, says report