President William Ruto has endorsed the ranking by the United States travel firm Lonely Planet which named Nairobi the best city to travel to in 2024.
According to the Head of State, the positive feedback came as a result of the government’s efforts to attract investors, professionals, tourists, and creators into the country.
Ruto praised Kenya’s capital city Nairobi in a statement on Sunday, November 5, adding that the country agreed wholeheartedly with the ranking that saw Nairobi beat Paris in Frane as a travel destination.
“The world is listening. Our effort to use every local and global opportunity to profile Kenya as a competitive destination has elicited highly inspiring feedback from Lonely Planet, which has recognized Nairobi as its top global city destination,” Ruto said.
“We agree wholeheartedly with this assessment and positive feedback from a global authority on matters travel and tourism,” he added.
Ruto Explains Why Nairobi is the Best Travel Destination Globally
At the same time, Ruto indicated that Nairobi was a powerful city because it was a place where Kenyans dream and chase their biggest dreams.
Similarly, he added that the direct recognition by Lonely Planet highlighted Nairobi’s unique confluence and traditional cultural blends with its dynamic and youthful bent.
“Kenya is a magnificent country endowed with a sumptuous array of spectacular touristic attractions that are liberally dispersed throughout the land, and Nairobi is its powerful, vital, beating heart.
“We dream in Nairobi and chase our biggest dreams here. We imagine a better present and future and then create it. We are brave, bold and brilliant in Nairobi,” he added.
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How Kenya Benefits from the Ranking
In addition, Ruto stated that the ranking would ensure Kenya received more tourists and investors adding that the government would continue boosting the tourism sector in the country.
“The award is also an indirect affirmation of Magical Kenya as an irresistible destination for those curious to encounter a beautiful country.
“Going places with people who are always ready to engage all visitors, clients, customers and partners until their expectations are exceeded,” he explained.
On the other hand, he encouraged Kenyans to tell others about Kenya and ask them to visit the country and experience Nairobi.
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“I encourage all our friends throughout the world to tell a friend or more to make the point of visiting Kenya and experiencing Nairobi. There is nowhere like here anywhere in the world.
“We are ready and waiting to give you an incomparable travel experience of unforgettable beauty and magic,” noted the head of state.
Lonely Planet Ranking of Best 2024 Travel Destination
The “Best in Travel 2024” list from Lonely Planet features ten vacation locations divided into four categories: countries, cities, sustainability, and value.
Furthermore, Nairobi took first place in the city rankings, followed by Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada).
Mostar in Bosnia and Philadelphia in the United States rounded up the renowned top five list.
Notably, Manaus (Brazil), Jakarta (Indonesia), Prague (Czech Republic), Izmir (Turkey), and Kansas City (US) ranked sixth through tenth position respectively.
