www.allafrica.com Kenya recorded an 18 per cent growth in tourism arrivals from January to August this year, a report by the World Tourism Organisation has said.

The growth, according to the WTO Deputy Secretary General, Dr David de Villiers, is due to the long awaited economic recovery in Africa, marketing campaigns and the fact that threats of terrorism do not seem to count at the moment.

Dr de Villiers said consumer and business confidence was back in the industry, which was badly affected by threats of terrorism, a weak economy and the outbreak of Sars in some parts of the world.

"Leisure tourism is performing better than business tourism, although the latter is also picking up well," he said. The WTO chief was addressing an international press conference at the World Travel Markets exhibition in London early this week.

Kenyan journalists, flown to the exhibition courtesy of British Airways, attended the briefing where the issue of terrorism dominated.

The four-day exhibition, which is a showcase of what various destinations offer to tourists in the world, ended yesterday.

Kenya was represented at the World Travel Markets exhibition by the Kenya Tourist Board, in whose stand 26 hotels and tour operators were present.

The Kenya delegation was headed by the Board's chairman, Raymond Matiba, and a host of other industry players drawn from both the Government and the private sector.

Dr de Villiers said 2004 had seen a gradual recovery of long-haul traffic, which was noticeable in stronger demand for air transport on overseas routes, premium accommodation, and visits to world capitals.

"We knew that prospects for 2004 were good, but the strength of the rebound has even surprised us. We are confident that the tourism sector is back on the right track after three difficult years.

According to the WTO annual tourism report released at the press conference, Kenya saw air traffic capacity to and from Europe expand, and recorded 18 per cent more arrivals at the main entry points up to August this year.

Other good results were recorded in Madagascar, which had a growth rate of 48 per cent, and Uganda with 41 per cent.

However, Seychelles and Mauritius recorded negative growth of four and two per cent respectively.

KTB chairman, Raymond Matiba, said the positive growth in the industry could be attributed to strong marketing campaign targeting source markets, and the wide range of products offered by the country.

He said the board had now focused its attention on the Far East and China, where several tour agents and operators were more enthuasiastic about the country.

"We have decided to shift our attention to the Far East because of the fact that the travel advisories placed on us are real hurting us," he said.

The Kenya stand at the exhibition was selling the country's diverse culture while last year, the theme was 'Safari'.