Nairobi is set to host about 5,000 visitors and delegates from at least 50 countries for the second Music in Africa Conference for Collaboration, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) from 15th to 17th November 2018 at the Kenya National Theatre.
ACCES, which was launched in Dakar, Senegal in 2017, has become one of the leading annual music events in the African continent, attracting a strong niche audience of music industry players from all over the globe.
Commenting on the coming of the conference to Nairobi, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier has welcomed the meeting as an endorsement to Nairobi’s status as a Business and Leisure destination.
She said, “KTB is delighted by the choice of Nairobi as the host city for the ACCES Conference. This is a confirmation of the wide appeal that Nairobi has as a Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) destination. This is over and above Nairobi’s global acclaim as the Safari Capital of the world as it is the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries – Nairobi National Park. Both business and leisure (also referred to as BLEISURE) come alive in Nairobi. In summary, the Conference is at the right place!”
While thanking the conference organizers for hosting the event in Nairobi, Dr. Radier said KTB is proud to associate itself with the conference which she said adds to the growing push to sell Africa both as a tourism destination but also as a tourist source market.
“Partnering with the Music in African Foundation is in line with KTB’s strategy to partner with non-tourism organizations from different sectors, as the conference provides KTB with a unique platform that goes beyond marketing Kenya to the local audiences in order to create awareness and hence conversion.”, said the KTB CEO.
She added that the event further provides an opportunity to reach out to the niche market across Africa that is driven by the love of music.
“Music and entertainment is part and parcel of the continent’s rich cultural heritage and a vital component of its diverse tourism offering. We believe that the ACCESConference will go a long way towards raising awareness of Africa’s diverse cultural tourism offering and amplifying Brand Africa’s visibility to the rest of the world.”
Early this year, Nairobi was listed among the top ten destinations on the rise in the world by the global travel website, TripAdvisor.
Nairobi was voted third best destination on the rise by millions of travelers not only for being the safari capital of Africa, but also for being an energetic modern city that serves as a fascinating introduction to both wildlife and nightlife.
The US travel website described Nairobi as a destination where “…music clubs pulse with life, shops and markets bustle, and a mélange of restaurants will tempt your palate in this former Maasai watering hole”.
