International tourist bookings to Kenya are expected to increase by over 10% during the winter period.

This is despite a general election taking place in August.

Last year, international tourist arrivals to Kenya, by air and sea increased by 17% to 877 602, compared with 752 073 in 2015.

Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman, Mohamed Hersi, attributed the projected winter booking growth of between 10% and 15% to leading tour operators from Europe, America and Asia, having confidence in the destination.

“During the peak period of November to December this year, we expect international bookings to surpass those of last year as more tourists are coming to Kenya as the country is much safer than in previous years,” he said.

Hersi, who is also CEO of Heritage Hotels, said the industry was bolstered by support from tour operators from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Australia.

Since last year Kenya had also experienced a rise in tourist arrivals from the emerging markets of India and China, he said.