KTB launches 7th edition of MKTE and gives updates on tourism
The KTB Chair Betty Raddier has today launched the 7th Edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE): an annual trade fair organized by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).
“MKTE is not just another tourism expo, but serves as a key element off our strategies implemented to grow tourism business in Kenya. The business of KTB is to market Kenya but the business of business is in business, “said CEO, Betty Raddier.
As part of raising the bar of the MKTE, KTB unveiled their new event management partners: On Show Solutions who possess vast knowledge and understanding of global tourism trade, and boasts of having over two decades worth of experience in organizing tourism exhibitions. The partnership seeks to reap maximum benefit from their expertise and net more partners and exhibitors globally, as well as raise the bar in conference events in Kenya.
The 2017 MKTE expo will run on the first week of October, in line with the World Tourism Day, and bring together hosted buyers from across the globe including travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and trade media from Kenya’s key tourism source markets; including Europe, Africa, Asia and Americas among others.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of KTB Betty Raddier also reported that the tourism sector had experienced of growth about 92-94% which was on KTB’s target.
Within the tourism sector throughout last year, Kenya witnessed a growth trajectory as follows:
Total international arrivals for January to December 2016 by air and sea closed at 877,602 compared to 752,073 in 2015, illustrating an increase of 16.7%.
Arrivals through the JKIA arrivals grew by 16.2% to record 782,013 compared to 672,789 in 2015, while Moi International Airport Mombasa (MIAM), on the other hand, received 92,872 visitors, compared to 75,983 in 2015, a 22.2% growth.
The total consolidated arrivals for 2016 therefore are 1,307,351, a 10.4% growth over 2015 that recorded 1,183,847.
Also, the domestic segment continues to grow posting a total of 3.6 million bed nights being were taken up by Kenyans in 2016 compared to 3.1 million in 2015, a 14.6% growth.
As 2017 commences, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), reported a continued confidence in tourism for the year 2017, projecting international arrivals worldwide to grow at the rate of 3% to 4%. Africa is also expected to grow at the rate of between 5% and 6%.
In conclusion, KTB CEO Raddier encouraged local participants register for MKTE as new international entrants would be coming in and reinforced KTB’s assurance for the tourism sector. “As KTB we strive to create a conducive environment for domestic and international buyers to engage,” concluded Raddier.