President William Ruto has said travellers on transit will be able to step out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for either business or leisure, as they await to board connecting flights to their final destinations.
This, he said, will be made possible following the introduction of long-connection Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
"It will now be possible for travellers who have 12 hours to step out of the airport. They can come and enjoy a meal in the city, they can go to the national park, they can see our wildlife, they can visit our museum and be able to travel back," Ruto said.
"That visa arrangement is being rolled out to make sure that we have additional numbers of people visiting our country."
Rutospoke on Wednesday during the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 at Uhuru Gardens.
"Our target is to make Kenya a must-visit destination and attract five million visitors a year by 2027," he added.
The President also stated that the country has introduced a Digital Nomad Work Permit designed for global digital professionals.
It will enable them to live and work while enjoying the country's natural beauty.
The Digital Nomad Work Permit will be specifically tailored to cater to remote workers, offering them the opportunity to make Kenya their base while serving clients globally.
The move is part of Kenya’s wider strategy to boost tourism, employment, and foreign investment.
"Kenya can be your home, where you and your family can experience the wonders of Magical Kenya every day, all while serving clients from anywhere in the world," Ruto said.
Ruto said some of the government's interventions to sustain growth in the tourism sector include upgrading transport networks, streamlining the issuance of travel documents, and enhancing security.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the tourism sector recorded significant growth in 2023, with arrivals reaching 2 million, up from 1.48 million in 2022.