By P.Nalyaka
Photo.T.Lutalo
The Kenyan Coast is increasingly anchoring the strong performance of the East African market into Kenya, as regional travel from Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda continues to drive tourism growth and sustain year-round business for coastal hotels and resorts.
This momentum was evident during the just concluded Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2026 in Kampala, where a delegation of Kenyan Coast hotels, resorts and tourism stakeholders intensified regional partnerships and marketing efforts targeting intra-African travel.
Speaking at the expo, Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa said the Kenyan Coast remains central to Kenya’s regional tourism due to its unique mix of beach leisure, Swahili culture, hospitality diversity, conferencing facilities and improved connectivity.Adding that Uganda is that other key market for Kenya due to its accessibility by aire, road and also the lake.
He explained that the Kenyan Coast leisure sector appeal stems from a blend of pristine beach experiences, rich Swahili Culture, diverse hospitality offerings, state-of-the-art conferencing facilities and enhanced connectivity.
According to him Uganda remains Kenya’s leading regional source market, contributing 234,556 visitors in 2025, accounting for 31% of all African arrivals and representing an 8.7% growth compared to the previous year. Tanzania followed with 209,536 arrivals, reflecting a 7.7% increase from 2024.
In the coming years,Kenya is now targeting a further 27% growth in Ugandan arrivals to reach 300,000 visitors, banking on the coast as a major attraction for regional travellers seeking beach holidays, destination weddings, honeymoons, golf tourism and family leisure experiences.
Ololtuaa attributed the growth to improved air connectivity, progressive visa openness policies, enhanced regional infrastructure, forums like POATE and the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), familiarization trips for operators and joint conferences were accelerating travel flows into Kenyan destinations.
“Travelers are increasingly preferring an integrated East African experience combining wildlife safaris, coastal leisure, business events and cultural tourism including festivals,” he said.
Adding that “ We are working together as the East Africa community, through the ‘Visit East Africa, Feel the vibe’ campaign, to promote the region as one, and further easing movement of visitors from one country to another.”
At this year’s POATE, Kenya joined hundreds of exhibitors, international buyers and tourism professionals from across Africa and beyond to showcase tourism products, investment opportunities and strengthen trade partnerships.
Coast-based hospitality brands that featured at the expo include Neptune Hotels, Reef Hotel, PrideInn, Tamarind, Diamond Leisure, Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort, Bamburi Hotel alongside several establishments from Kwale County.
Speaking at the same event, Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman Victor Shitakha said POATE has become a key platform for promoting tailored regional travel packages targeting East African travellers.
“This expo is a vital platform for us to market curated packages tailored for regional travellers, including short beach holidays, wellness retreats, destination weddings, honeymoons, festivals, nightlife, MICE tourism and sports tourism experiences,” said Shitakha.
He noted that Kenya and Uganda are strengthening cross-border tourism marketing through joint campaigns and multi-destination tourism initiatives aimed at boosting intra-African travel.
“A key aspect of this strategy is the annual Uganda-Kenya conference, which brings together tour operators from both countries to identify and promote complementary attractions,” he said.
POATE, Kili Fair in Tanzania and the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), supported by visa-free travel arrangements,have further expanded air connectivity and improved road infrastructure across the region.
