Kenya’s place in the skies is evolving rapidly. Once primarily known as a gateway between East Africa and global destinations, the country is now emerging as Africa’s air travel hub, driven by expanding regional and domestic connectivity that is transforming tourism, commerce, and economic growth.

According to IATA Direct Data Solutions (DDS), Kenya recorded 2.3 million international origin-destination passenger departures in 2023, accounting for 40 per cent of all passenger departures from the country. Of those, Africa captured 37 per cent of outbound passengers, ahead of Europe at 28 per cent and the Middle East at 13 per cent. Early industry indications suggest that by 2025, this regional segment will have grown by more than 10 per cent, underscoring Kenya’s central role in continental air travel.

Regional Routes Driving Passenger Growth

While long-haul connections to Europe and the Gulf remain important, intra-African routes now dominate Kenya’s international traffic map. Flights from Nairobi to Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, and Johannesburg consistently rank among the busiest. Services like Safarilink’s Nairobi–Kisumu–Entebbe route provide direct connections that save travellers time and streamline regional mobility. Kenya Airways’ codeshare networks further expand options across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, enabling seamless multi-stop journeys.

This trend reflects more than convenience. It strengthens economic ties between key African capitals and markets, supporting business travel, trade activity, and cultural exchange in ways that were previously limited by geography and infrastructure.

Domestic Connectivity Unlocks New Corridors

Kenya’s domestic air network has become a backbone of internal mobility and tourism. Airlines such as iFly have launched flights to Mandera and northern airstrips, opening previously remote regions to commercial travel. Meanwhile, airlines like Jambojet, Fly540, Skyward Airlines, Renegade Air, and Safarilink link Nairobi to other destinations, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi, Meru, Ukunda, and Vipingo Ridge, connecting safari lodges, lakeside attractions, and coastal retreats with Kenya’s urban centres.

These routes do more than reduce travel time. They facilitate tourism that spans wildlife conservancies, cultural circuits, beaches, and investment zones, while supporting local business growth and jobs.

Travel Agents Powering Kenya’s Aviation Growth

At the heart of this transformation are travel agents, who convert connectivity into economic value and authentic experiences. The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has evolved into a powerhouse within the Kenyan travel sector, representing a growing network of agencies across the country and advocating for policies that protect and strengthen the industry.

KATA provides training in digital distribution, retailing, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance, equipping members to respond to evolving traveller expectations and take advantage of new domestic and regional routes. By curating multi-destination packages, offering market intelligence, and facilitating partnerships with airlines and international tourism bodies, KATA members ensure that passengers enjoy seamless travel while airlines maximise route utilisation.

The association has also secured formal representation in policymaking, ensuring that the voices of travel agents influence decisions on commission structures, aviation policy, and tourism regulations. KATA is continuously helping Kenyan travel agents position themselves as strategic drivers of tourism, business travel, and continental connectivity, turning air routes into tangible economic opportunities for communities and businesses alike.

Renovation of Wilson Airport and Infrastructure Expansion

The transformation in Kenya’s aviation story is supported by significant investment in infrastructure. Wilson Airport, historically the hub for domestic and regional flights, is undergoing comprehensive upgrades aimed at increasing capacity, improving passenger amenities, and modernising air traffic systems. The renovation includes expanded apron space, improved terminal facilities, better parking, new safety systems, and enhanced navigation equipment to support rising traffic volumes.

These improvements at Wilson come alongside broader plans to modernise Kenya’s airport network, including upgrades to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to expand terminal capacity and cargo handling, and the development of secondary airports to relieve pressure on major hubs. The goal is to ensure that as flight volumes grow, infrastructure keeps pace, enabling safe, efficient, and reliable service for passengers and airlines alike.

Tourism and Economic Impact

Ease of access has a direct effect on Kenya’s tourism and business sectors. Travellers can now link safari destinations, coastal experiences, and city engagements in a single itinerary, enhancing multi-destination travel and lengthening visitor stays. Business travellers benefit from quick, direct routes that support meetings, conferences, and investment missions across the region.

Madam Selina Gor, Regional Airport Manager at Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), has emphasised that improved air links are critical to economic growth. She notes that infrastructure investments, complemented by supportive aviation policy, encourage airlines to expand routes, stimulate trade, and create jobs in hospitality, services, and logistics.

Strategic Position and Future Growth

Kenya’s geographic position at the crossroads of East, Central, and Southern Africa, together with initiatives like the Single African Air Transport Market, reinforces its hub status. Yet challenges remain. Airports are operating near capacity, and intra-African fares can still be high, limiting broader mobility. Continued investment in infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and competitive pricing will be essential to sustaining growth.

A Continent Connected Through Kenyan Skies

The data and traffic patterns make one thing clear: Kenya is not just flying farther — it is flying smarter. By developing regional and domestic routes, expanding airport infrastructure, and supporting strategic partnerships, the country is enabling tourism growth, stimulating commerce, and connecting markets that were once isolated.

Kenya’s aviation network is more than a route map; it is a catalyst for economic integration, cultural exchange, and continental connectivity, cementing the nation’s role as Africa’s air travel hub and a critical engine for future growth.

International travel picked up pace in 2025 as more people around the world returned to travelling abroad. According to the first World Tourism Barometer of the year, destinations around the world welcomed 1.52 billion international tourists last year, marking a steady rise over 2024 and signalling that global travel is finding its rhythm again. Better flight connections, easier visa rules and pent-up demand helped keep tourism buoyant, bringing the industry closer to the growth patterns seen before the pandemic.

Global Tourist Arrivals Rise Steadily In 2025

International tourist arrivals grew by 4 per cent in 2025. An estimated 1.52 billion international tourists travelled globally during the year, nearly 60 million more than in 2024. These figures mark a return to pre-pandemic growth trends, aligning closely with the average annual increase of around 5 per cent recorded between 2009 and 2019. The recovery was supported by sustained demand and the continued rebound of destinations in Asia and the Pacific.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Alnuwais noted that travel demand remained strong throughout 2025 despite higher costs and global uncertainties, adding that the positive trend is expected to continue into 2026 as lagging destinations fully recover.

Africa Leads Growth As Asia And The Pacific Rebound

• Regional data from the World Tourism Barometer highlights Africa as the strongest performer in 2025, with international arrivals rising 8 per cent to 81 million. North Africa led the surge with an 11 per cent increase.
• Europe, the world’s most visited region, welcomed 793 million international tourists, up 4 per cent from 2024 and 6 per cent above 2019 levels. Western Europe and Southern Mediterranean Europe recorded solid growth, while Central and Eastern Europe saw a strong rebound, although arrivals remained below pre-pandemic figures.
• The Americas recorded modest growth of 1 per cent, with South America and Central America outperforming other subregions.
• The Middle East continued to post exceptional results, growing 3 per cent in 2025 and reaching nearly 100 million visitors, placing it 39 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
• Asia and the Pacific saw arrivals increase by 6 per cent to 331 million, though numbers remained 9 per cent below 2019. North-East Asia led the recovery, while South Asia returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Strongest Performing Destinations For 2025

Several destinations reported double-digit growth in international arrivals during 2025. Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Seychelles were among the strongest performers for the full year.

Data available through November also pointed to sharp rises in arrivals to destinations such as Bhutan, Iceland, Guyana, South Africa and Japan, reflecting renewed confidence in long-haul and experiential travel.

International Tourism Receipts Estimated At USD 1.9 Trillion

Visitor spending remained robust throughout 2025, with international tourism receipts estimated at USD 1.9 trillion, a 5 per cent increase over 2024. Total export revenues from tourism, including passenger transport, are estimated at a record USD 2.2 trillion.

Destinations reporting strong growth in tourism receipts included Morocco, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Mongolia and Japan, calculated in local currencies.

Among the world’s top tourism earners, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Turkiye also posted healthy growth compared to 2024.

What To Expect In 2026

International tourism is projected to grow by 3 to 4 per cent in 2026, assuming continued recovery in Asia and the Pacific and stable global economic conditions.

While solid consumer demand, improved connectivity and major global events such as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup 2026 are expected to boost travel, geopolitical tensions and high travel costs remain key risks for the year ahead.

Source: ndtv.com

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has hailed the third successive year of record-setting international arrival figures.

The Gulf state saw total annual visitors reach almost 19.6 million, up 5% on the previous year.

December saw 2.04 million international overnight visitors, up 6% year on year.

The previous record month was January 2025, with 1.94 million visitors.

UK travellers to Dubai grew by 11% year on year in 2025 to reach 1.47 milliion. 

Dubai’s hotel inventory reached 154,264 rooms across 827 properties by the end of the year, putting it “well ahead” of global peer cities such as Bangkok, New York, Paris and Singapore, and almost on par with London, according to the DET.

Average occupancy for hotels in Dubai stood at 80.7% in 2025, up from 78.2% the previous year, according to DET’s hospitality metrics. 

Dubai International retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, according to Airports Council International (ACI).

The hub achieved its highest quarterly traffic last summer, handling 24.2 million passengers between July and September, up 1.9% year on year.

The total for the first nine months of 2025 was 70.1 million, a 2.1% increase.​

Issam Kazim, chief executive of Visit Dubai, part of DET, said: “Guided by visionary leadership, Dubai’s record international visitation is a testament to global confidence in the destination.

“As we look forward, our priorities will be to continue enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness through digital innovation and providing exceptional guest experiences at every touchpoint, with powerful momentum after surpassing the 2 million figure for a single month in December for the first time.

“In partnership with stakeholders across the public and sectors, we remain dedicated to sustained investment in capacity, infrastructure development, and initiatives to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live and work in.”

Source: travelweekly.co.uk

Last Friday, the tarmac at Wilson Airport was alive with anticipation as passengers prepared to board Skyward Airlines’ inaugural flight to Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County. At 2:30 pm, travellers — from tourists to business executives and investors — gathered at the boarding gate. Hon. Lady Justice Njoki Susanna Ndung’u — a renowned judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya — officially called passengers to board, marking the ceremonial start of a route that promises to redefine access to Kenya’s North Coast.

From Boarding to Takeoff

Boarding was smooth and organised, with airline staff scanning tickets, assisting with luggage, and welcoming passengers. Inside the Dash 8‑200 turboprop, sunlight streamed through the cabin windows, offering a glimpse of Nairobi’s skyline as the aircraft taxied and lifted off toward the coast.

The approximately one-hour flight revealed Kenya’s diverse landscapes in transition, from sprawling urban centres to the lush greens of Kilifi County. The descent into the Vipingo Ridge Airstrip was gentle, facilitated by the recently upgraded runway, allowing a safe and level landing. Diana Nyambura, CEO of Skyward Airlines, said: “This route exemplifies our commitment to smart connectivity, serving both exclusive communities and the wider coastal ecosystem, and offering travellers reliability and convenience.”

Economic and Tourism Significance

Madam Selina Gor, Regional Airport Manager at Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), welcomed the milestone, emphasising KAA’s continuous investment in infrastructure that enables airline expansion. “We encourage more airlines to explore new destinations,” she said. “Access drives convenience, business growth, and economic development.”

The new flight is expected to boost domestic tourism, stimulate local enterprise, and attract both domestic and international investment. Golf enthusiasts, conference organisers, and lifestyle tourists can now reach Vipingo Ridge quickly, stimulating activity across hospitality, retail, and leisure sectors.

Vipingo Ridge: 20 Years of Lifestyle, Luxury, and Conservation

Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a premier lifestyle destination, Vipingo Ridge boasts an 18-hole PGA-accredited championship golf course, luxury villas, and a wildlife conservation sanctuary registered with the Kenya Conservation and Wildlife Association (KCWA) and licensed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

Alex Horsey, CEO of Vipingo Ridge, said: “This inaugural flight is not just about connectivity; it is about creating opportunities for Kilifi County. Improved access means more tourism, new investment, and stronger support for local businesses. It also enables us to host international conferences and sporting events with ease.”

The Bigger Picture

The Nairobi–Vipingo link underscores the strategic importance of domestic air connectivity. By linking emerging lifestyle, investment, and tourism hubs to Kenya’s urban centres, airlines like Skyward are stimulating regional economies, generating jobs, and unlocking long-term development opportunities.

With regular flights now operational, the partnership between Skyward Airlines and Vipingo Ridge represents a new chapter for Kenya’s North Coast, where convenience, economic growth, and sustainable tourism converge to create lasting value for travellers and the local community alike.

The travel industry’s rapid shift to digital payments has unlocked speed, convenience, and global reach. It has also opened the door to a new generation of fraud risks that many agencies are still struggling to contain. From card-not-present transactions and fake booking portals to chargeback abuse and identity theft, the modern travel agent now operates in an environment where financial security is as critical as customer service.

Online bookings, cross-border payments, and mobile wallets have become the norm rather than the exception. Yet the very systems that make transactions seamless also make them attractive to cybercriminals. High-value airline tickets, hotel reservations, and tour packages present lucrative targets. A single fraudulent booking can trigger costly chargebacks, strained supplier relationships, and long-term reputational damage. For smaller agencies, repeated incidents can even threaten merchant account status or business continuity.

A Timely Industry Conversation

It is against this backdrop that industry stakeholders are turning their attention more sharply to fraud management. The upcoming Kenya Travel Industry Payments Summit (KTRIPS) 2026 forum, organised by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents, will centre on the theme “Risk-Proofing Travel Agencies: Effective Fraud Management in a Digital Payment Era.” Scheduled for March 24 and 25, the dialogue builds on previous KTRIPS discussions that highlighted the growing dependence on electronic payments and the urgent need for stronger safeguards across the travel value chain.

While the event itself is a meeting point, the underlying issue extends far beyond conference halls. The risks are already embedded in daily agency operations.

The Expanding Fraud Landscape

Digital convenience has dramatically increased transaction volumes, but it has also multiplied vulnerabilities. Card-not-present payments, which dominate online travel bookings, are statistically more prone to fraud than in-person transactions. Cross-border payments add layers of complexity, often making dispute resolution slower and more expensive. Long booking cycles, where clients pay months before travelling, create extended windows for chargebacks and refund abuse.

Fraud is no longer limited to stolen credit cards. Agencies now face sophisticated schemes involving cloned websites, fake airline promotions, and “triangulation” scams where criminals use stolen details to purchase legitimate travel products before disappearing with the proceeds. The damage is both financial and psychological. Customers lose confidence, suppliers question reliability, and agencies spend valuable time resolving disputes instead of generating sales.

Technology Is Not Enough

Many agencies have adopted digital payment systems without matching them with equally robust fraud controls. Generic retail fraud tools often fail to address the unique characteristics of travel transactions, which tend to be higher in value, international in scope, and delayed in fulfillment. Overly aggressive security filters can also reject legitimate payments, frustrating clients and driving them toward competitors.

The solution lies not only in stronger technology but in smarter integration. Real-time transaction monitoring, tokenisation of card data, multi-factor authentication, and tailored fraud-scoring systems are becoming essential rather than optional. Equally important is staff training. Agents must be able to recognise suspicious booking patterns, verify client identities, and communicate clearly with customers about payment security protocols.

Balancing Trust and Convenience

The industry’s challenge is maintaining the delicate balance between security and customer experience. Travellers expect fast, frictionless payments, yet they also demand assurance that their financial data is protected. Excessive verification steps can discourage bookings, while lax controls can invite exploitation. Agencies that succeed will be those that embed invisible but effective safeguards into their payment processes while maintaining transparent communication with clients.

A Business Imperative, not a Technical Option

Fraud management is no longer a back-office concern. It is a frontline business issue that influences profitability, brand credibility, and long-term sustainability. As digital payments continue to dominate travel commerce, agencies that fail to evolve risk falling behind competitors who prioritise secure, intelligent payment ecosystems.

The conversations taking shape ahead of KTRIPS 2026 reflect a broader industry realisation: protecting revenue is now inseparable from protecting data. In a digital marketplace where trust travels as fast as money, the agencies that thrive will be those that treat fraud prevention not as a defensive measure, but as a strategic advantage.

A growing number of travellers arriving in Africa are no longer satisfied with distant game drives and crowded viewing points. They want experiences that protect wildlife, support local communities and leave a measurable positive impact. Ethical travel, once considered a niche preference, is steadily becoming a mainstream expectation, reshaping safari tourism and creating new responsibilities and opportunities for travel agents.

Across the continent, conservation-linked tourism models are proving that responsible travel can be both sustainable and commercially successful. In Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the Olare Motorogi Conservancy operates on a land-leasing model that pays Maasai landowners directly while limiting visitor numbers to protect wildlife habitats. The result is less congestion, higher quality sightings and steady income for local families who might otherwise turn to livestock grazing or land subdivision.

Further north in Samburu County, the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has become a leading example of community-run conservation. The sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants while employing local residents and supporting women’s income programmes linked to milk supply and craft production. Visitors are offered structured, educational encounters rather than exploitative animal interactions, reinforcing the idea that wildlife tourism can be both ethical and immersive.

In Central Africa, tightly regulated gorilla trekking in Rwanda demonstrates how strict visitor limits and health protocols can protect endangered species while generating significant national revenue. Permit fees directly fund conservation and community development projects, proving that exclusivity and responsibility can coexist profitably.

These examples reflect a broader shift in traveller behaviour. Tourists are increasingly asking how their presence benefits destinations, how animals are treated and whether local communities share in tourism revenue. The safari is no longer just about sightings. It is about significance.

For travel agents, this transformation demands a change in approach. The competitive advantage is moving away from price comparison and toward knowledge, credibility and storytelling. Agents who understand which lodges reinvest in conservation, which tour operators uphold animal welfare standards and which destinations deliver genuine community benefit are positioned to command higher trust and stronger margins.

Clients planning African journeys now expect guidance on ethical choices as much as logistical arrangements. An agent who can explain why a conservancy model protects ecosystems or how permit fees sustain wildlife authorities becomes more than a booking intermediary. They become a trusted advisor. This advisory role is especially critical as online platforms often fail to distinguish between authentic conservation initiatives and superficial marketing claims.

Airlines, tour operators and hospitality providers also stand to gain from aligning with verified ethical programmes. Transparent partnerships and clearly communicated impact metrics can influence booking decisions and build long-term brand loyalty among environmentally conscious travellers.

Ethical travel in Africa is not a passing trend. It is an economic and cultural shift that is redefining what success looks like in wildlife tourism. For travel agents willing to adapt, it offers a powerful pathway to relevance, differentiation and growth. In a market where travellers increasingly seek purpose alongside adventure, the ability to sell impact may prove just as valuable as the ability to sell destinations.

Source: africa.com

The modern journey increasingly begins not at an airport counter but in the palm of a hand. New findings from the Global Passenger Survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show travellers quietly rewriting the rules of movement, trading queues for QR codes, paper trails for pixels, and wallets for smartphones. Yet amid the rush toward frictionless travel, one truth remains intact. People still want people.

The Airport in Your Pocket

The smartphone is no longer a travel accessory. It is becoming the travel experience itself. According to the survey, 73 per cent of passengers now book the majority of their flights online, with 50 per cent using direct digital channels such as airline websites and mobile apps. Airline apps, in particular, are gaining ground faster than traditional websites, signalling a decisive shift toward mobile-first travel behaviour.

Payment habits are also transforming. While credit and debit cards still dominate at 72 per cent usage, their share is declining as digital wallets rise to 28 per cent, nearly doubling their footprint in just a few years. Instant payment options, though still emerging at 8 per cent, are steadily entering the mainstream.

Passengers are not only booking digitally; they want their phones to do more. 78 per cent of global travellers say they would like a single smartphone platform that combines a digital wallet, digital passport and loyalty cards to manage booking, payment and airport navigation. Among travellers aged 25 and under, that figure climbs sharply to 87 per cent, underscoring the expectations of a generation that sees travel and technology as inseparable.

Biometrics, online check-in, real-time baggage tracking and electronic bag tags are also recording strong growth, all tied to one central demand: convenience measured in minutes saved rather than features added.

Africa’s Measured Embrace

The digital tide, however, does not arrive uniformly. Across Africa, the survey reveals a more nuanced reality. While mobile adoption is rising, 38 per cent of African passengers prefer bank transfers for payment, more than double the 18 per cent global average. At the same time, 82 per cent cite visa complexity and cost as a major deterrent to travel, compared to 72 per cent globally.

Human interaction also retains a stronger foothold on the continent. Eleven per cent of African travellers still book flights through airline offices or call centres, nearly three times the global average of four per cent. Technology is welcomed, but reassurance is often sought through conversation rather than code.

Generation Swipe With Caution

Younger passengers are leading the digital surge, but they are not blindly embracing it. Travellers under 25 show the highest preference for booking through airline apps and using digital wallets, yet they also register the strongest concerns about data privacy and how long their personal information is retained. Convenience, for this generation, is conditional. Speed must coexist with security.

The Travel Agent’s Reinvention

For travel agents, these figures do not signal disappearance but transformation. With nearly three-quarters of travellers booking online, the agent’s role is shifting from ticket issuer to travel interpreter. In markets where 82 per cent of passengers are deterred by visa complexity, guidance becomes a service that algorithms cannot easily replace.

Agents who integrate digital communication, mobile payments, and instant itinerary sharing while retaining personalised advisory services are likely to find renewed relevance. The opportunity lies not in resisting technology but in translating it into clarity and confidence for travellers navigating an increasingly automated system.

Airlines and the Architecture of Trust

For airlines and airports, the numbers point toward a delicate balance. Expanding biometric infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, and maintaining flexible payment options are no longer optional investments. At the same time, the continued reliance on physical offices and call centres in regions such as Africa shows that automation cannot entirely replace accessibility.

A Journey of Two Speeds

Travel in 2025 unfolded at two speeds at once. One is fast, silent, and digital, reflected in the 73 per cent online booking rate and the rapid climb of mobile payments. The other is deliberate and conversational, visible in the 11 per cent of African passengers who still prefer in-person or phone bookings and the overwhelming concern over visa processes.

The industry’s challenge is not to choose between these paths but to merge them. Even as travellers swipe, scan, and synchronise their journeys, many still value the reassurance of a knowledgeable human voice confirming that everything is in order.

Kenya Airways continues to enhance inclusive air travel through its KQ Ezesha program, a dedicated initiative designed to make flying more accessible, affordable, and seamless for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The program underscores the airline’s commitment to ensuring that all passengers, regardless of ability, can travel safely and comfortably.

KQ Ezesha, which translates to “to validate and empower,” addresses longstanding barriers that have limited PWD participation in air travel. Studies indicate that roughly 70% of PWDs avoid flying due to cost, limited accessibility, and insufficient support services. The program responds by offering discounted fares, tailored assistance, and accessible travel solutions across the passenger journey.

Travelers under the program benefit from up to 18% off international flights and 10% off domestic flights, along with dedicated support from booking through boarding. Beyond air travel, KQ Ezesha partners with accessible transport providers, hotels, and tour operators to ensure safe and convenient transfers, accommodations, and sightseeing experiences.

The initiative also promotes global inclusion, supporting international conferences that champion accessibility and inclusivity, such as the Inclusive Africa Conference and the World Deaf Federation Conference, with special travel benefits for participants.

By integrating these measures, Kenya Airways reinforces its position as a regional leader in inclusive air travel, providing a model for both airlines and tourism stakeholders in Africa. The program is available at Kenya Airways CTO and ATO offices across East Africa, offering travelers and agents alike an opportunity to engage in a more accessible and dignified travel experience.

KQ Ezesha demonstrates how airlines can combine operational accessibility, affordability, and advocacy to expand opportunities for all travelers, highlighting the airline’s ongoing commitment to inclusive tourism across the continent.