Ties with Kenya 'not just about resources'

He also expects his visit to further expand cooperation in tourism marketing, as well as encourage more Chinese manufacturers to set up plants in his country.

He said he wants to diversify his country's tourism market to attract more Chinese.

China, Kenya optimistic on future More tourists planning visits

About 41,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya last year, an increase of 10.4 percent compared with 2011, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism.

"Traditionally our tourism was looking toward Western Europe and the United States. But we are now really moving very fast to diversify our products," he said.

"As we continue to encourage the visits from traditional markets, we also recognize the growing importance of China, India, South Africa and Brazil, as Kenya's tourism resources are something they were not familiar with previously."

The country has prepared to welcome more Chinese to travel to Kenya and Africa, Kenyatta added.

"We have a number of programs running in the universities training people to speak Mandarin," he said.

He said Kenya provides not only wildlife — traditionally known as the major part of Kenyan tourism — but also a rich cultural heritage for international visitors.

He said Kenya and other East African Community member countries are trying to offer one-stop visas to attract international tourists.

"We have taken action and had discussions with our partners in the EAC on the prospects of developing a one-tourism visa that could enable tourists who are applying to go to Kenya to also go to Rwanda, Uganda and other eastern African countries," said Kenyatta. "We are hoping that it could be realized very soon," he said, adding that the visa could be issued as early as next year.