The Kenya Tourism Board has announced that it will not be hosting 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 says, “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 major 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 shortchanged with a barely three-year-old regional show which is yet to gain traction in the tourism industry, “an anonymous voice told us 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.
In the statement addressed to the chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Federation, it failed to adduce 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 to take place from 17 to 21 November 2023 in Nairobi.” The statement said.
EARTE is held on a rotational basis by member states of the East African Community (EAC). Tanzania and Burundi hosted the first two editions in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
The event is part of the region’s tourism marketing strategy which is geared towards positioning the EAC as a leading sustainable tourism destination in Africa.
The big question for Kenya’s tourism administration is; What will they do next year if the event is moved to another country?
