The Kenya Tourism Board has announced that it will not host its flagship tourism trade event, Magical Kenya Tourism Expo (MKTE), this year.

A communique signed by John Chirchir, Acting CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, said: “Kenya will instead host the 3rd edition of the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE).”

The news has angered Kenya’s tourism stakeholders, with many describing the move as ill-advised. How can the agency let a tourism marketplace which had become a significant platform for Kenya and the region to trade and place the nation as the destination of choice, was the big question among Kenya’s tourism players.

“After years of investments to make us the leading destination in the region is short-changed with a barely three-year-old regional show which is yet to gain traction in the tourism industry”, an anonymous voice told tourism publication, Voyagesafriq in a written response.

This latest announcement is seen as a final straw in what many in Kenya’s tourism industry consider a further drop in interest in tourism by the administration.

The statement, addressed to the Chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Federation, failed to explain the reasons for sacrificing the revered tourism marketplace for the regional expo.

“EARTE is a regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers, trade, media, and buyers. The expo is scheduled from November 17-21, 2023 in Nairobi,” said the statement.
EARTE is held on a rotational basis by member states of the East African Community. Tanzania and Burundi hosted the first two events in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

The event is part of the region’s tourism marketing strategy geared towards positioning the EAC as Africa's leading sustainable tourism destination.

The big question for Kenya’s tourism administration is, what will they do next year if the event is moved to another country?

Source: VoyagesAfrica.com