chinese tourist in kenya

• China Daily PDF
• China Daily E-paper
• Asia-Pacific
• Middle East
• China-Europe
• China-Japan
• China-Africa

Kenya welcomes return of Chinese tour groups

The first tour group from China in three years arrived in the Kenyan capital Nairobi over the weekend, and it received a warm welcome from Kenya's tourism authority.

"We are delighted by this return (of Chinese tourists). It is indeed an exciting moment for us because it means that we have resumed connectivity with one of the world's key growing source markets for international tourist arrivals," said John Ololtuaa, principal secretary of Kenya's State Department of Tourism, at a ceremony welcoming the tourists at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday.

The 40 Chinese tourists will visit attractions such as Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and attractions around Naivasha and Nakuru in the following days, he said. They are the first group of Chinese tourists since China announced the resumption of outbound group tour services, which were suspended when COVID-19 broke out in 2020.

"The Chinese market presents a huge opportunity for Kenya's tourism industry. The governments of Kenya and China have over the years had strong bilateral relationships bound by the people of the two nations," Ololtuaa said. "China's relationship with Kenya extends to security, infrastructure, development and trade. We want to extend tourism to this to ensure that our economy reaps full benefits."

Tourism is one of Kenya's pillar industries. According to the Kenyan government, China is Kenya's sixth biggest tourism source market. It accounted for 5.5 percent of international tourist arrivals to Kenya before the pandemic. In 2018, at least 230,500 Chinese tourists visited Kenya.

Sherry Xie, managing director of Long Ren Tours and Travel in Nairobi, said she has received many inquiries about tours in Kenya from China.

Wang Hao, 52, a businessman from Beijing, was one of the tourists who arrived in Kenya on Saturday. He said he has huge expectations for the trip.

"This is the first time I am visiting Africa, and I have watched and read lots of documentaries and books about Africa before coming. I'm very interested in the natural environment and wildlife, especially outside the rainy season," said Wang.

Since Feb 6, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has resumed outbound group tour services, including for Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand and Argentina.

[email protected]

Hi, what are you looking for?

Capital Business

Australian state uses AI to predict flood risks

Bangladesh mulls to suspend services of Facebook, YouTube: minister

Ghana distributes 1.3 mln free tablets to boost digital literacy in schools

Kenyan fintechs head to Ghana to lure investors

Florida passes law limiting children’s access to social media

Treasury directs state corporations to submit rationalized budgets

Gov’t to earn Sh5bn from its stake in Kenya Pipeline Company

Kenya to resume tea exports to Tanzania after trade dispute resolves

Driving Kenya’s Digital Future: Insights from the DTPS Forum and Awards

President Ruto launches medium-term economic plan

Introvert DJ Joe Mfalme on his journey to success in the music industry

The Evolution of e-commerce as told by Ronald Kaleu 

Wowzi! You Want To Be An Influencer?

Going Full-Time: Julia Gaitho’s Move from Employment to Full-Time Content Creator

Digital Marketing and The Transformative Power of The Internet

KWS opens tourism investment opportunities in National Parks

CA revises content requirements for free-to-air, subscription service providers

CAK revamps e-procurement portal to improve efficiency, accountability

Striking doctors in Nyanza tell off CoG Chair Waiguru amid sack threats

SRC chair opposes retirement age reduction, cites pension burden

Sri Lankan economy projected to grow 2.2 pct in 2024

SpaceX launches 22 more Starlink internet satellites into space

Kiwi meat exporter’s annual results reflect challenging market conditions

Bullet train services suspended in parts of eastern Japan

The Importance of Attitude and Life Experiences in Career Growth

Capital FM commemorates anniversary of Chris Kirubi’s death

Finding Opportunity in the midst of the pandemic: AskKirubi

COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Future Direction for Entrepreneurs

Kirubi set to acquire half of Centum Plc following nod by CMA

Kirubi warns investors against fake cryptocurrency platform using his name

• Listen to Capital FM

Kenya receives 205 Chinese tourists on flights resumptions

MITI moves quickly to address concerns raised by Nyamakima, Kamukunji traders

Skyward unveils first direct flights between JKIA and Mombasa Airport

Ethiopia’s internet users surpasses 41 mln

Craft beer maker, Big Five, transfers a portion of its plant, equipment to Wananchi

28 insurers dominate abuse of buyer power cases, CAK data

More on capital business.

Kenya receives new wagons from China for railway freight operations

MOMBASA, Kenya, March 4 (Xinhua) — Kenya received 430 wagons from China Monday to enhance freight operations on its railway network nationwide. The batch...

China had 3,608 listed manufacturing companies by the end of 2023

BEIJING – There were 3,608 manufacturing companies listed on China’s domestic stock market by the end of 2023, according to the China Association for...

Kenya Railways receives 50 freight wagons from China

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – Kenya today received 50 freight wagons that will be used to transport cargo through the Madaraka Express. Roads and...

KQ allowed to operate Dar route after ban

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 16 – The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has allowed Kenya Airways (KQ) to operate flights between Nairobi and Dar es...

Kenya eyes relations beyond business with China

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 22 – The diplomatic relationship between China and Kenya, which dates back to 1963, is poised to grow further despite criticisms...

Discover Airlines to increase flights to Mombasa from Frankfurt

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 21 – Discover Airlines, a leisure airline of Lufthansa, has announced that it will be increasing flights between Frankfurt (Germany) and...

Putin extends ban on transactions with “unfriendly” foreigners’ stakes in companies

VLADIVOSTOK, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended a ban on transactions by foreigners from “unfriendly countries” with shares in strategic...

China urges EU to stop weaponizing rights issues

BEIJING, China, Dec 13 – China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly rejected the European Union’s groundless accusation of China’s human rights situation and urged...

Privacy Overview

This article is free to read if you register or sign in.

Simply register at no cost.

Questions or problems? Email [email protected] or call 0711 046 000 .

KTB banks on new strategy to attract Chinese visitors

Before the pandemic, china was the world’s largest outbound travel market..

•China is a growing market, having accounted for 82,180 and 83,388 arrivals in 2018 and 2019 respectively positioning itself as Kenya’s 6th largest source market.

•The numbers however dropped over the pandemic period as the country faced major lockdowns. 

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) will capitalise on outdoor and nature-based tourism to increase visitors from the growing Chinese market, the agency has said.

According to Chairperson Francis Gichaba, this is part of a strategy that KTB is employing to grow arrivals from the market, which holds immense potential for Kenya's tourism sector.

"The post-Covid recovery plan for Kenya's tourism sector hinges on capitalising on our advantage in nature and outdoor experiences. We are shifting towards sustainable models of tourism in Kenya," Gichaba said on Thursday.

He said it imperative that Kenya deepens its engagement and relations with key emerging markets such as China, to find synergies to enhance marketing efforts and optimise opportunities.

China is a growing market, having accounted for 82,180 and 83,388 arrivals in 2018 and 2019 respectively positioning itself as Kenya’s 6th largest source market.

The numbers however dropped over the pandemic period as the country faced major lockdowns. 

KTB is however optimistic of increased numbers from the Chinese market following the recent reopening of the country.

"The Chinese market  is a great opportunity to grow air arrivals given the growing number of affluent middle-class Chinese travellers," the chairman said.

Gichaba made the remarks during the annual Kenya Chinese Tourism Association (KCTA) golf tournament held at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Nairobi.

At least 120 players drawn from the Chinese community residing in Kenya participated in a golf series that was sponsored by the Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Group.

The tourney forms part of events held by KCTA with the aim of connecting the diverse community to explore and experience Kenya’s travel products and services.

KCTA has over five hundred members pulled from different sectors with the potential to influence their friends and families for both domestic and international travel.

KCTA Chairperson Zhang Yuanxiang said golf tourism is part of the rich portfolio of outdoor experiences that are proving to be a strong attraction for Chinese tourists.

"With a travel-savvy population that is willing to explore and try new experiences, Kenya stands in a great position to tap on this promising potential and consequently re-assert itself as a destination offering golf and other outdoor attractions," Yuanxiang said.

Before the pandemic, China was the world’s largest outbound travel market with over 150 million outbound travellers, whose spending added up to almost $255 billion(Sh34.7 trillion).

The Chinese travel market is highly diversified, with a tendency to prefer group leisure travel.

Twende Shimoni village: Fusion of history,cuisine and nature

Rebuilding destination kenya in post-pandemic era, most popular, iconic hilton hotel to shut down after 53 years operation, latest videos, masii boys high school dormitory razed down by fire, gachagua visits juja ocs after attack by illicit brewers, sign up for the free star email newsletter and receive the latest kenya news daily..