Investors in Kenya’s tourism sector are being urged to leverage the upcoming Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) to forge global partnerships and enhance business opportunities. Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa emphasized that MKTE plays a crucial role in facilitating local enterprises and start-ups to access international markets, particularly benefiting those unable to participate in overseas expos due to cost constraints.
“This expo has consistently fostered linkages and collaborations between local tourism businesses and global markets, leading to significant growth within Kenya’s tourism sector and the diversification of our tourism products,” stated PS Ololtuaa. Speaking at an MKTE partners’ event, he highlighted the importance of the 14th edition, scheduled for October 2nd-4th, 2024 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, as a platform for enhancing East Africa’s premier travel show.
Last year, MKTE attracted over 3,000 delegates from 25 countries, showcasing Kenya’s diverse tourism offerings. The 2024 edition aims to host 5,000 delegates, including 160 hosted buyers and over 100 buyers’ clubs. PS Ololtuaa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment through public-private sector engagements, aimed at supporting tourism businesses, especially at the grassroots level. He also highlighted the potential of domestic tourism, encouraging Kenyans to explore their own country to capitalize on high-quality local experiences and facilities.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei expressed optimism for MKTE 2024, highlighting its role in providing affordable access to international suppliers and markets for Kenyan travel trade, county governments, and affiliated brands. “This year, our strategy includes targeting new source markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Australia, alongside traditional markets in Europe and Africa, in line with our destination diversification efforts,” Chepkemei noted. KTB aims to achieve a target of 3 million visitors by the end of 2024, building on MKTE’s reputation as a pivotal event in Kenya’s tourism calendar.
