NAIROBI, Oct 3 - Kenya's President William Ruto on Wednesday opened the International Tourism Exhibition in the capital Nairobi and reaffirmed his commitment to increase tourist arrivals through diversification and targeted marketing in emerging source markets.
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024, East and Central Africa's premier travel trade fair, which runs until Friday, has attracted more than 4,000 delegates from all over the world.
The three-day event, organised by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the state tourism marketing agency, was attended by 180 international tour operators, including 75 from Africa, 37 from North America, 26 from Europe and 42 from Asia and the Middle East.
Appreciating the revival of the tourism sector after the hiatus caused by the pandemic, Ruto said the exhibition will serve as a platform to showcase Kenya's scenic attractions including wildlife, the Great Rift Valley, coastal beaches and savannah grasslands.
"Platforms such as the Magical Kenya Travel Expo have provided a reliable platform for business-to-business meetings over the past 14 years, connecting African tourism leaders with global buyers and connecting Kenyan businesses with international market players," Ruto said.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya's tourism industry will see significant growth in 2023, with arrivals reaching two million compared to 1.48 million in 2022.
The East African country expects to welcome three million tourists by the end of 2024, and expects to reach five million visitors in the next two to three years.
Ruto said some of the government's interventions to sustain growth in the tourism sector include upgrading transport networks, simplifying the issuance of travel documents and improving security.
Meanwhile, Ruto said the government has created a conducive environment to attract investment in the hospitality sector while introducing specific products such as culture, sports, innovation and archaeological treasures.
"Our cultural diversity, from vibrant pastoral traditions to ancient coastal cultures, adds to Kenya's global appeal," Ruto said, highlighting Kenya's unique identity as the cradle of humanity.
"Kenya has introduced a digital nomad work permit designed for global digital professionals, allowing them to live and work while enjoying the country's natural beauty," Ruto added.
He also said that an e-travel permit system for transit and long-haul passengers would soon be introduced to enable transit passengers to disembark from the airport and visit nearby natural wonders.
June Chepkemei, Executive Director of KTB, said that during the tourism fair, local investors will meet with tour operators from major source markets in Africa, Europe and Asia to forge partnerships that could increase arrivals.
Xinhua/ gnews.cz - RoZ
PHOTO - Xinhua/Wang Guansen
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