Kenya Unveils Digital Souvenir Passport and Domestic Tourism Hub to Revolutionize Visitor Experience

Published on December 12, 2025

Kenya, long celebrated globally as the ultimate safari destination, is undergoing a profound digital transformation to secure its place as a leader in African tourism. Moving beyond the traditional safari vehicle and map, the nation recently unveiled a suite of innovative digital platforms designed not only to attract international travelers but also to ignite a passion for domestic exploration among its own citizens.

The launch of initiatives like the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport and the Hapa Ni Wapi platform signifies a major strategic shift, positioning technology at the core of the country’s plan to boost tourist arrivals to an ambitious target of 5.5 million by 2027. This drive to enhance visitor experience and grow the economy was highlighted during the recent Kenya Tourism, Wildlife and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Week.

The Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport: Gamifying the Journey

The most engaging of the new initiatives is the Magical Kenya Souvenir Passport. This platform is available in both a physical, collectible format and a corresponding digital application, borrowing the familiar, treasured experience of a travel document and turning it into a game.

• A Personalized Record: Both domestic and international visitors can now collect unique stamps at every tourism destination they visit or product they experience. This creates a personalized, lasting record of their journey across Kenya’s diverse landscapes, from the Maasai Mara to the beaches of Diani and the cultural hubs of Nairobi.
• Encouraging Deeper Exploration: As Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano noted, the Passport aims to encourage visitors to “explore more regions, and engage more deeply with our cultural and natural heritage.” By rewarding exploration, the platform naturally disperses tourism benefits beyond the typical hotspots, promoting lesser-known sites and supporting local economies.
• Innovative Leader: The initiative positions Kenya as an innovative leader in the global tourism marketplace, using a simple yet powerful concept to foster continuous engagement and repeat visitation.

Hapa Ni Wapi: Mobilizing Domestic Tourism

Under the umbrella of the ‘Tembea Kenya’ (Visit Kenya) banner, the Hapa Ni Wapi (Swahili for “Where is this?”) domestic tourism travel platform is a strategic tool focused specifically on the local market. Its development comes at a time when domestic tourism is already proving robust, recording over 5 million bed-nights from formal establishments alone in 2024.

• Targeting the Youth: The platform is particularly geared toward younger travelers, leveraging their digital habits. It showcases a wide array of Kenyan attractions and allows users to easily access diverse tourism packages, from coastal beach retreats to rugged road trips and immersive cultural experiences.
• Fostering National Pride: According to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Hapa Ni Wapi will not just market destinations but will actively “gamify travel” and “foster national pride.” By simplifying access and making local travel exciting and rewarding, it encourages Kenyans to become ambassadors for their own country’s heritage.

The Broader Digital Infrastructure

These new consumer-facing platforms are supported by Kenya’s ongoing commitment to digitizing its entire tourism ecosystem, a strategy that enhances efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness:

• KWSPay System: The prior launch of the KWSPay digital platform by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) modernised payments across national parks, enhancing transparency, security, and visitor convenience. This system allows for the seamless online booking and payment of park fees.
• AI and Virtual Reality: Kenya is strategically adopting advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for personalized travel recommendations and Virtual Reality (VR) for marketing, allowing potential visitors to virtually explore safari camps or heritage sites before they even book. This commitment to digital tools helps the sector deliver seamless, customized journeys, aligning with global expectations.
• Youth Empowerment: Recognizing that the tourism workforce is largely young, the KTB is heavily focused on training over 200 young people in digital competencies, content creation, and tourism entrepreneurship. This masterclass approach ensures that the new digital platforms are matched by a digitally skilled human workforce.

Securing a Sustainable Future

Kenya’s digital leap is ultimately aimed at establishing a more resilient and sustainable tourism economy. The move toward digital transactions reduces reliance on paper-based processes, and the strategic diversification of visitor flow—both international and domestic—mitigates the risks associated with global market fluctuations.

By making the journey of exploration more engaging and accessible, Kenya is not just hoping to increase its visitor numbers; it is fundamentally changing how people interact with its extraordinary natural and cultural heritage, laying a strong, tech-forward foundation for its future as a global tourism powerhouse.