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International Arrivals by Air and Sea
Overview
Tourist arrivals for the year 2009 by air and sea closed at 952,481
compared to 729,000 in 2008 translating to an increase of 30.7%. During the
course of 2009, it had been projected that these arrivals will range from
930,000 - 950,000 based on the yearly trend. The maximum limit has thus been
achieved, and slightly surpassed,
These arrivals are yet to match
2007 performance when compared in the similar period which closed at 1,048,732
translating to a deficit of 9.2%. As such, this indicates that as at the end of
2009, Kenya recovered by 90.8%
The highest arrivals that were
recorded through JKIA were in the month of July which posted 83,972 arrivals.
Through Mombasa, December was the best performing month at 24,579 arrivals.
February recorded the highest Cruise arrivals at 5,031.
Cruise arrivals
were adversely affected as a result of cancellations due to the insecurity in
the international waters off the Kenya coast following increasing cases
of kidnapping/terrorism and widely covered by the international media. No
cruises were registered in the months of November and December 2009, as a
result of this which is unlike previous years. The first four months of 2009
alone registered more than 11,000 cruise arrivals compared to 2008’s
3,168(Jan-Apr) showing the massive potential of this travel segment. Insecurity
is thus posing as a serious hindrance.
The highest source market
international arrivals by air and sea were from the UK (164,169) followed by US
(102,255), Italy (66,889), Germany (65,101) and France (41,062). The United
States as such becomes the first key source market to recover as arrival
figures in 2009 surpassed 2007’s 101,095. South Africa topped the African
markets with 32,031 followed by Uganda (29,328) and Tanzania (28,303). From
Asian markets, India posted 36,202 arrivals followed by China (20,339) and UAE
(11,811).
Recovery
As at the close of
2009, the following source markets had recovered fully and surpassed 2007
levels: United States, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, China, UAE, Russia,
Finland and India. Australia, Poland, and Norway have recovered by more than
90%, the latter almost at full recovery. Amongst the key source markets, the UK
recovered by 80.2%, Germany 78%, Italy 79.4% and France 78.1%. This is an
indication that the global financial crisis is still taking a toll on long-haul
FIT travel from these markets, but not exclusively.
Market share by Point of
Entry
As at December 2007, arrivals through JKIA accounted for
74% of all international arrivals by air with the coast controlling 27%. This
changed in 2008 with JKIA responsible for 84% of all arrivals compared to
Mombasa’s 16%. This was as a result of withdrawal of charters at the coast.
2009 figures indicate that JKIA controls 81% of all inbound arrivals by air
compared to 19% in Mombasa. This is an indication that charters arrivals are
yet to recover.
Market Share by Purpose of Visit
In 2009, holiday arrivals controlled the bulk of international arrivals
at JKIA recording 52%.This was followed by business at 18%, Visiting Friends
and relatives at 12%, and transit travelers at 9%. Conferencing controlled 3%
of the market share in terms of JKIA arrivals. At the close of 2008, the
holiday market share was at 42% while business arrivals controlled 23%. This
scenario was as a result of the post election violence which resulted in
significant cancellations in holiday bookings. Holiday arrivals accounted for
57% of 2007 JKIA figures as compared to 21% attributed to business arrivals in
the same year.
For the year, consolidated holiday arrivals
improved by 52.5% over 2008 (572,302 vs. 375,908 in 2008) but in spite of this
good performance, they fall short of 2007’s 722, 400 holiday arrivals by 20%
Market share by
Source Market
European arrivals by air and Sea hold the
majority market share at 48% followed by Africa (24%), Americas (14%), Asia
(12%) and finally the Oceanics (2%)
With the exception of the
combined ‘Rest of World’ arrivals, the United Kingdom maintains the top
position in total market share terms as at the end of 2009 controlling 17.2% of
all inbound arrivals by air and sea. It is followed by US (10.7%), Germany
(7.8%), Italy (7.0%) and France (4.3%).
The Key Source markets of
UK, US, Germany, Italy and France controlled 46% of arrivals by and sea in
2009, compared to 2007’s 50% and 2008’s 42%
The Table below illustrates
the best and worst performers in terms of gains and losses, 2007 vs 2008, and
2007 vs 2009 for benchmarking purposes.
Charter
Performance
The performance in 2009 as concerns charters has
improved considerably compared to 2008, with a growth of 41% in flight arrivals
by the close of 2009. However, in comparison to 2007, these arrivals reflect a
deficit of 28%. By the close of 2009, there were 1,100 flight arrivals compared
to 782 in 2008, while 2009 had 1,533 flight arrivals.
Zanzibar is
a market that we need to take cognizance of and have close scrutiny as an
island destination. An exit survey conducted in September 2009 indicated that
the Zanzibari product is perceived as superior due to factors such as better
accommodation and appealing(and clean) beachfronts.
Revenues
Revenues in the sector have improved
as compared to 2008 but are yet to match 2007 levels. By December 2009, tourism
had raked in an estimated Kshs 62.46 billion compared to 2007’s Kshs 65.4
Billion and 2008’s Kshs 52.71 Billion. As such, these revenues show an
improvement of 18.5% compared to 2008 and a deficit of 4.5% as compared to
2007.
The Global Scenario
According to the UNWTO, worldwide, international tourist arrivals fell
by 4% in 2009 to 880 million.
This represents a slight
improvement on the previous estimate as a result of the 2% upswing in the last
quarter of 2009. In contrast, international tourist arrivals shrank by 10%, 7%
and 2% in the first three quarters of 2009 respectively.
Asia and
the Pacific and the Middle East led the recovery with growth already turning
positive in both regions in the second half of the year. Full-year results show
that growth was negative in all world regions except for Africa, which backed
the global trend.
Europe ended 2009 down 6% after a very
complicated first half (-10%). Destinations in Central, Eastern and Northern
Europe were particularly badly hit, while results in Western, Southern and
Mediterranean Europe were relatively better.
Asia and the Pacific
(-2%) showed an extraordinary rebound. While arrivals declined by 7% between
January and June, the second half of 2009 saw 3% growth reflecting improved
regional economic results and prospects.
In the Americas (-5%),
the Caribbean returned to growth in the last four months of 2009. The
performance was more sluggish in the other sub-regions, with the A (H1N1)
influenza outbreak exacerbating the impact of the economic crisis.
The Middle East (-6%), though still far from the growth levels of previous
years, had a positive second half in 2009.
Africa (+5%) was a
robust performer, with sub-saharan destinations doing particularly well. UNWTO
forecasts a growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3% and 4% in
2010.
Despite the overall decline, several destinations worldwide
reported positive results in 2009 in terms of international tourist arrivals.
In Africa, this include Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland,
Based on the trends through the first three quarters of the year,
receipts for 2009 are estimated to have decreased by around 6%.
(Source: Kenya Tourist Board)
Download Tourism Performance 2009
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