The United States has emerged as the top source market for Kenya after overtaking tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom in the first 10 months of 2016.

Over the years, UK has been Kenya’s leading market but in the first 10 months of last year the US market took top position in terms of arrivals.

According to statistics released by the Kenya Tourism Board, 82 363 American tourists visited the country between January and October, surpassing the 80 821 arrivals from the UK.

During the period under review, tourist arrivals from the US increased 16%, up from 70 734 arrivals in the same period last year.

On the other hand, arrivals from the UK market dropped 4% in the first 10 months, down from 84 423 the previous year.

India was the third-largest market for Kenya, with arrivals of 54 983, up 33% from 41 257 the previous year, while Uganda was fourth, with arrivals of 45 116, up 85% from 24 420.

China took fifth position with arrivals of 41 459, up from 25 299; Germany sixth with 36 066, up from 30 806; while South Africa was seventh with 28 720, up from 25 819. Italy, France and the United Arab Emirates made up the rest of the top 10 markets with 27 933, 17 303 and 17 180 arrivals respectively.

During the period under review, international tourist arrivals to Kenya increased by 16% to 729 682 compared with 628 345 arrivals the previous year.

International arrivals at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport grew by 15% to 653 187, up from 569 815 the same period in 2015.

At Moi International Airport, Mombasa, international arrivals grew by 26% to 74 615, up from 59 194 the previous year.

During the period under review, arrivals by cruise ships were only 1 880.

Of the 729 682 arrivals, 75% came on holiday, while 13% visited the country for business and conferences.

International tourist arrivals growth has been attributed to the security improvement across the country.

In December last year, Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, said he was impressed by the increase of tourists from the US market visiting Kenya.

He added that international tourist arrivals to Kenya grew by 16% in the period under review, bringing hope to tourism recovery.

The Cabinet Secretary expressed hope that the industry would perform better, bolstered by the surge in arrivals from the US, India, Uganda and China markets.