Kenya has announced plans to review its visa-free policy after the popular tourist destination fell 17 places in the Africa Visa Openness Index to rank 46th out of 54 countries. In January, the Kenyan government replaced traditional visas with an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. However, the new policy, which required travelers to pay $30 and wait three days for processing, was criticized by many travelers, leading to concerns over the policy’s impact on tourism. With tourism contributing $2.7 billion to the economy last year, some fear the ETA system could hinder Kenya’s goal of attracting 5 million annual visitors by 2027, up from 2.1 million in 2023. In response, Kenya’s Cabinet has approved a review, scheduled for January 7, to address these issues and improve accessibility for visitors. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who revealed the development, emphasized the importance of regaining Kenya’s standing.
SOURCE: SEMAFOR