Kenya is on target to exceed its visitors record, attracted 483 000 people for the first half of 2010, 6000 more than the first half of the record breaking year of 2007.

Reuters reported, the country infamous for its beaches and safaris is well on its way to exceeding the 1.05 million visitors number set in 2007.

Kenya’s Tourist Board Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said the influx of tourists is due to the decline in violence and if the country proves “itself as a safe and attractive destination, then it is almost certain that the tourism numbers will go up”. 

Mr Ndegwa expects figures to continue rising after the new constitution was passed peacefully at last month’s referendum.

“The referendum itself was done in a very professional and very calm way. As a result of that we believe that this gives us a strong statement of endorsement of the country as a tourist destination,” said Ndegwa.

The new constitution was drafted in particular to minimise violence and revolt from the 2007 Presidential election.

Following the election Kenya’s tourism plummeted with Kenyan Airways reporting a loss before tax of Ksh5.6 billion (US$75 million) for 2008.  

“Especially if you look at the background in terms of what happened in 2008, we do believe that this feel good effect will have a very positive bearing on tourism going forward,” said Ndegwa.

“We have continued also to aggressively market the destination in the source markets, and perhaps this is what has resulted in the growth that we have seen.”

Tourism is the East African country’s third largest income after horticultural and tea export.