Thursday, August 22, 2024 The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi nestled within a remnant coastal forest, the deserted city of Gedi lies inland, far from the shoreline. Once a prominent Swahili city on the East African coast between the 10th and 17th centuries, Gedi was a pivotal hub in a vast network of trade and cultural exchange that spanned the Indian Ocean, connecting African coastal centers with Persia and beyond. The site is well-preserved with its boundaries marked by walls and showcases remnants of residential, religious, and civic architecture, alongside an advanced water management system.
Gedi exemplifies Swahili architectural and urban planning principles, employing materials such as coral rag, coral and earth mortar, and wood. Global international tourist arrivals grew by 34% in 2023 compared to 2022, achieving an 88% recovery rate of pre-pandemic numbers. Africa showed remarkable resilience, recovering 96% to pre-COVID levels, with Kenya witnessing a significant surge in arrivals, increasing from 1,483,752 in 2022 to 1,951,185 in 2023, marking an impressive growth of 31.
5%. The extent of recovery in Kenya reached 95.24% of 2019 international arrival levels, surpassing the global pre-pandemic recovery rate of 88%.
Additionally, Gedi attracted 80,816 visitors in 2023. The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi in Kenya is culturally significant for several reasons: Gedi’s UNESCO Status and Cultural Riches Propel Kenya’s Tourism Growth Gedi�.