Kenyan envoy urges government to ease ETA travel requirements for tourists
The Kenyan ambassador to Germany, Stella Mokaya, has urged the government of Kenya to relax some of the travel requirements for foreign visitors under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
Ms Mokaya, who was speaking at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin, noted that tourists from European markets are still facing a wide range of challenges when applying for prior authorisation through the portal, which is now discouraging some travellers from visiting Kenya.
“I know a number of older German travellers who struggle with the ETA, and when they go online, they encounter difficulties, so they change their destinations. This is something the government needs to reconsider,” she said.
Ms Mokaya, who is also accredited to the Czech Republic and Poland, described Germany as a tourism powerhouse within Europe while commending the country for hosting the prestigious ITB travel and tourism expo. The annual conference, which provides an opportunity for countries to engage with the world’s leading sector players, also serves as a platform for Kenya to showcase its tourism potential on the global stage.
“We need to diversify the products originating from Kenya that are meant for the German market and also add value to our products before exporting them,” she added.
Speaking at the event, Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa said the tourism trade fair provides an opportunity for Kenyan tour operators, hotels, and airlines to connect with international partners and market their products.
Mr Ololtuaa acknowledged the rapid growth of the tourism sector and called for innovative strategies to attract more visitors to Kenya.
“This time, we are focusing on adventure tourism because it is one of the products we have continued to promote for a long time to boost tourism in Kenya,” he said.
He further stated that Kenya, as the home of world-class marathoners, has an opportunity to leverage sports tourism to promote the country as a top travel destination.
“Kenya is the home of marathon champions, and we have some of the greatest runners. We are exploring how to capitalise on sports and digital marketing technology to showcase what Kenya has to offer,” he added.
The PS maintained that the introduction of the ETA has made it easier for airlines to access Kenya, while assuring that the government is working to improve infrastructure to facilitate travel.
The government is also appealing to county governments to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to market county-specific tourism products, which is expected to enhance the variety of experiences and increase the number of visitors to Kenya.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chairperson Francis Gichaba said ITB, which hosts over 30,000 exhibitors from 190 countries, presents an opportunity for Kenya to solidify its position as a leading travel destination in Africa and the world.
He said KTB has been exploring ways to make Kenya an all-year-round destination, with the launch of an adventure tourism series expected to boost visitor numbers.
“This country (Germany) has a deep relationship with Kenya, and for us, it is a critical market we want to tap into. They have been looking for new places to visit, and we are telling them they don’t have to—just seek new experiences,” he said.
The global tourism conference, ITB Berlin 2025, has been running since its inception in 1966, serving as a key networking platform to promote the industry.
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