NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 12 – Kenya’s travel industry is seeing heightened regional movement, fuelled by stronger air connectivity, tourism flows, and rising conference travel across East Africa.
The trends shaped discussions at the 2025 Kenya Travel Industry Business Awards (KeTIBA), where sector leaders examined how digital tools and financial systems can support the surge.
Flight frequencies between Nairobi, Entebbe, Kigali, Arusha, Mombasa, and Zanzibar continue to rise, strengthening East Africa’s tourism corridor and driving more bookings. Travel agents say the growth has increased turnaround times and heightened expectations from travellers seeking fast, seamless transactions.
Much of the pressure falls on agencies that must process bookings and settle airline payments within tight deadlines. While most operate on credit—allowing clients to book first and pay later—airlines require settlement within days, creating cash flow gaps and making payment reliability a core industry issue.
Equity Bank Director of SME Banking Collins Wanyonyi said digital efficiency has become critical.
“Travel agencies work under strict timelines where delays can mean lost seats or penalties,” he said. “The ecosystem depends on systems that move money instantly and accurately. Our work is to ensure those systems are reliable so businesses can serve travellers without delays.”
American Express Vice President Jonathan Curtis said high-value travellers continue to contribute significantly to revenue.
“Premium travellers spend more and expect frictionless transactions,” he said. “When payments move smoothly, it strengthens confidence in East Africa as a competitive destination.”
Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) CEO Nicanor Sabula said the sector remains heavily credit dependent.
“Agencies must often fund airline payments before receiving money from customers, a challenge that intensifies during holidays and school breaks,” he said, adding that credit limits during peak seasons have forced some agencies to pause bookings or seek alternative arrangements.
Beyond celebrating excellence, KeTIBA awards aim to support improved service delivery, digital transformation, and stronger compliance. Stakeholders agreed that technology adoption will be central to keeping Kenya competitive as regional tourism accelerates.
