The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is gearing up for the 13th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), with a target of attracting a 20 per cent increase in the number of delegates.
The regional tourism fair is scheduled to take place from October 2nd to 4th, 2024, at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi.
This year, the expo is expected to draw approximately 3,000 participants, including tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents, and trade visitors.
Last year, the event saw about 2,500 tourism professionals attending the 3-day fair, which has been gaining popularity as a premier regional travel show.
KTB aims to position MKTE for greater global involvement, as part of its efforts to reposition the destination and achieve the target of welcoming 3 million visitors to the country by the end of the year.
June Chepkemei, Chief Executive Officer of KTB, expressed optimism about the expo’s role in reshaping Kenya’s tourism landscape on both continental and global scales.
She highlighted MKTE’s 12-year legacy as a leading business-to-business tourism platform in the region, facilitating impactful business transactions among tourism stakeholders.
Chepkemei emphasized the expo’s focus on maintaining Pan-African travel trade participation and solidifying Kenya’s status as a top tourism destination.
As Kenya shifts its focus to the African market, which has demonstrated resilience and steady growth, MKTE serves as a crucial platform for industry players.
Last year, Africa accounted for approximately 41 per cent of total international arrivals to Kenya, with Europe and the Americas contributing 30 per cent and 17 per cent market shares, respectively.
MKTE is designed to facilitate business opportunities, with around 160 carefully selected buyers from key source markets in Europe, the US, Asia, and Africa expected to participate.
Moreover, the expo plays a pivotal role in enabling over 60 per cent of local small and medium travel enterprises and startups to access international markets and establish valuable connections.
