Tourism is Kenya’s largest source of foreign exchange followed by agriculture. It took the lead from 1997 when it overtook the coffee sector and has continued the trend since. The country has 19 national parks and game reserves. Other attractions include the Great Rift Valley, the beaches along the Indian Ocean, mosques around the coastal town of Mombasa, coffee plantations at Thika and great landscapes like Mt Kenya and Mt. Kilamanjaro between Kenya and Tanzania border.
Tourism in Kenya suffered a lot during the 2007 -2008 election crisis. The revenues declined by 54% from 2007 to the first quarter of 2008. Reports showed that the country foreign income fell from 17.5 billion to 8.08 billion shillings. The number of tourists dropped from 270,000 to 130, 585 during that period. Income from big earners like United States and Europe dropped by 50% compared to income from China that dropped by only 10.7%. However, this was boosted by domestic earners who improved by acquiring 45% hence earning the sector 3.65 billion shillings.
Tourism in Kenya however continued to shine despite the gloomy moment. During 2008, the country won the Best Leisure Destination award at the World Travel Fair held in Shanghai, China. This in itself proclaims Kenya as on of the best tourism destinations despite all sorts. The country which acquired a new constitution on 27 of August 2010 promises only the best as she looks forward to enhancing good governance, providing space for democracy and human rights, political stability, infrastructure, the best business environment and security to all citizens and visitors.
