- Malonza said the tourism sector continues to play a key role in enabling the regional economies.
- She said the sector creates opportunities towards building inclusive growth and employment.
Image: Gilbert Koech
Kenya is set to host the third edition of the East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) in November as the country roots for regional tourism.
Tourism CS Peninah Malonza said the event will be held alongside the annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo.
Malonza said the twin events will help enhance Kenya's and the region’s visibility, forge partnerships and enhance investments in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.
"This year, we shall be integrating the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo and the East African Regional Tourism Expo, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to unity and a shared vision within the East African Community," she said.
"During this period, Kenya will host regional tourism stakeholders and players in the sector. The events provide a platform for the travel trade in the region to showcase and network with the world. My ministry is dedicated to promoting tourism within the region."
Malonza said the tourism sector continues to play a key role in enabling the regional economies.
She said the sector creates opportunities towards building inclusive growth and employment.
Malonza also said Expos form an integral part of the tourism sector and that countries must work in collaboration with their respective regional partners to strengthen tourism.
East Africa Community PS Abdi Dubat said the tourism sector contributes an average of 9.5 per cent of the East Africa region's GDP and an average of 7.1 per cent of employment opportunities in the region translating to over four million jobs.
"The East Africa Regional Tourism Expo and the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo present us with an opportunity to share our unique and common heritage with the world," he said.
"The region is ready to share and promote quality tourism to the world; we now have greater potential for intra-Africa tourism which we should continue to advocate for."
Tourism PS John Ololtuaa said the two events are a genuine manifestation of our commitment to promote intra-regional tourism flow across our borders.
"We are confident that this platform will provide opportunities for consolidation of relations among our partners across Africa, Europe and beyond. These relations will go a long way towards increasing tourism receipts from key and emerging source markets," he said.
The East Africa Regional Tourism Expo is an annual regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers, and trade, hosted by the East African Community partner states on a rotational basis.
The inaugural Regional Tourism Expo was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania in October 2021 in Arusha, while the second edition was hosted by the Republic of Burundi in September 2022 in Bujumbura.
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo is Kenya’s annual flagship travel trade fair that brings together tourism stakeholders, partners and media from some of Kenya’s key source markets in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The two expos have been combined into one event, creating more value and enhancing the level of engagement at the show for all the participants.
Kenya Tourism Board Acting CEO John Chirchir said the two events will profile Kenya as a unique tourist destination globally.
"The fairs will also provide an opportunity for us to consolidate our position as premier meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions destination in the region, which is key in efforts to grow and maintain our global share of the international tourism market," he said.