Canada, Australia & China have surpassed the United States as Kenyans preferred travel destinations.

These, plus Italy and The Netherlands emerged as the top locations for outbound travel in terms of visa application volumes in the first half of the year.

The country's renewed appetite for global travel has spiked the number of visa applications processed in the first half of 2023, according to latest data by VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions.

The change of some of the regulations for Kenyans seeking US Visa's did little to lure more Kenyans into visiting the United States.  

In April 2023 US cut the period for visa interviews for Kenyans wishing to visit America by five months after the US Embassy allowed for renewal of some categories without going for physical appointments.

The company says in the first six months to June 2023 Kenya more than doubled the 2021 volumes, and it hit nearly 80 percent of 2022 volumes.

VFS Global Head for Sub Saharan Africa, Hariprasad Viswanathan said that due to the high pent-up travel demand, it is expected that the increase in international travel from last year will continue in 2023 as well.

"With the opening of international borders and easing travel restrictions, the industry is witnessing peak ‘revenge’ travel with tourism, family visits, and educational as well as business trips being the common reasons for outbound travel from Kenya,” said Viswanathan.

He says that with positive travel outlook and surge in demand for outbound travel in the initial part of this year limited appointment slots will be available.

According to VFS, based on the data available in the first half of the year, there is convincing evidence that global travel is on the rise in 2023, including in countries like Kenya.

The surge in travel activity in 2022 took the industry by surprise, exceeding the conservative recovery projections, and is continuing into 2023 with visa application volumes at VFS Global in Kenya more than doubling versus 2021 already.  

However due to data privacy concerns  the firm was only able to share the percentage figures and not the final numbers as per government policy.

Previously longer waiting times have been a major hinderance to the uptake of Visa's impacting negatively on Kenyans keen on visiting other states  for business or pleasure.

"Adopting the e-visa will now be  a game changer as personal appointments will be reduced to minimum, only when its necessary," added Viswanathan.

Foreign travels have become Kenya's new reality where a considerable number, particularly the youth, are seeking opportunities outside the country.

The 2023 Henley & Partners Report ranked the Kenyan passport 67th globally, up from 73rd in January and one step up in Africa, from 8th to 7th.