Kenya set to host twin tourism expos in November

Kenya is gearing up to host the 3rd edition of the East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) in November this year.

Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza made the announcement on Wednesday during the unveiling of the event scheduled for November 20 - 22, 2023.

CS Malonza noted that EARTE will run concurrently with the annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), under the theme dubbed ‘Tourism for Green Growth.’

EARTE is an annual regional travel fair hosted by the East African Community partner states on a rotational basis.

It showcases the diverse tourism offerings of the region to both consumers and trade. In contrast, MKTE is Kenya's flagship travel trade fair, which draws tourism stakeholders, partners, and media from key source markets in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

The joint expos are expected to facilitate partnerships and investments in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

According to CS Malonza, the events provide a significant platform for regional travel trade to showcase their offerings to the world and establish valuable connections.

The expos will not only keep industry stakeholders informed about industry growth, but also introduce new strategies, programs, and partnerships to the market.

Abdi Dubat, the Principal Secretary of the East Africa Community, highlighted the tourism sector's substantial contribution, accounting for approximately 9.5% of the region's GDP, and offering employment to over four million people.

He underlined the significance of these expos in promoting the region's unique and shared heritage with the world.

John Olotuaa, Principal Secretary for Tourism, expressed confidence that hosting these two expos signifies Kenya's commitment to promoting intra-regional tourism and strengthening relationships with partners from across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

Combining these two expos into a single event is aimed at creating more value and fostering a higher level of engagement for all participants.

Kenya sees this as an opportunity to promote itself as a unique global tourist destination and consolidate its position as a premier Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in the region, which will contribute to its share of the international tourism market.