Kenya is playing host to tourism business people from about 50 countries participating
in this year’s Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), the largest tourism fair in the region
organized by Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).
The tourism exposition which is set to run from 2 nd to 4 th October, 2019 will be preceded
by tours organized for the business buyers to different tourism attractions across the
country from 27 th September to 1 st October, 2019.
“We shall showcase our rich products and experiences to the buyers to enable them get
a first-hand exposure of what magical Kenya has to offer before a three-day exhibition,”
says KTB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Betty Radier.
Already 164 hosted buyers and 20 international media personalities are confirmed for
the event that has also attracted tourism boards from the region. They include Rwanda
Development Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Tanzania Tourism Board, Seychelles
Tourism Board and Zimbabwe Tourism Board.
Radier said that the expo presents an opportunity for over 211 local exhibitors including
hotels and travel agencies to benefit from a cost-effective promotional platform that will
generate new business through interaction with international trade.
Seminars with compelling themes on current trends in travel industry will also be
presented during the three-day expo.
According to the CEO, the number of hosted buyers and exhibitors recorded a 15% and
3% respectively compared to the 2018 expo, a trend she noted was a testament to the
growing recognition of MKTE as Africa’s show of choice as well as Kenya’s global
stature as a Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) destination.
Hosted buyers include travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and trade media from
Kenya’s key tourism source markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. “This is
yet another opportunity for our hospitality industry to network and explore business
opportunities at the leading travel trade expo in East Africa,” added Radier.
Tourism players are optimistic that close of 2019, will report more arrivals given reduced
insecurity incidences and prevailing conducive business environment buoyed with
transformative strategies on tourism promotion and marketing by KTB.
“The positive outlook is already visible in the first quarter of the year (July-September) in
which international arrivals closed at 604,690, compared to same period last year which
posted 587,385 arrivals. This is a growth of 2.9%”, disclosed KTB CEO.
