(Posted 31st January 2022)
ATTA® The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®), hosted a gathering of key stakeholders across Kenya’s travel and tourism industry in Nairobi on 27th January at The Sarova Panafric Hotel.
Nigel Vere Nicoll, ATTA’s President, opened the forum explaining that stakeholders in UK had learnt during the pandemic, that a combined statement and unified approach from all associations covering the travel industry, gains media attention and faster traction, adding strength and gravitas to messaging. As a result, a coalition of these UK based bodies the “Save Future Travel” was formed with success.
Working on this model, ATTA® provided a similar platform for representatives of Kenya’s travel associations, state corporations and private sector investors, to meet and discuss post pandemic repositioning, in order to send a message to the world that Kenya is indeed fully open for business.
Moderators were Kenya Tourism Federation Chair, Fred Odek and CEO, Susan Odengo,and ATTA® Fellow, Dr Mohanjeet Brar. Other distinguished guests from Government included the Director General of Civil Airports Authority (KCAA) Captain Gilbert Kibe, CEO of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Dr Betty Radier, and CEO of Kenya Airways Alan Kilavuka. Leaders of the trade associations, all members of KTF, included Air Operators (KAAO), Tour Operators (KATO), Hotel Keepers (KAHC) Travel Agents (KATA), Eco Tourism (EK) Pubs, Entertainment & Restaurants (PERAK) and Professional Safari Guides (KPSGA). Private sector investors included Somak, Sarova Hotels and Abercrombie and Kent.
Following the meeting the Kenya Tourism Board, the Kenya Tourist Federation and ATTA® issued the following joint statement:
“Key stakeholders in the tourism and travel industries have agreed to partner in order to significantly resuscitate the sectors which have been adversely affected by the restrictions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. During a consultative forum hosted by the African Travel & Tourism Association, (ATTA), the stakeholders who included the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Kenya Airways (KQ), Kenya Civil Aviation authority (KCAA) and the tourism sector umbrella bodies under the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), agreed to correspondingly promote synergies between government and the private sector to enhance tourism and travel in the country and beyond the borders.
ATTA® a member-driven trade association promotes tourism to Africa from all corners of the world. The association which has 600 members and 90 in Kenya serves and supports businesses in Africa and represents the suppliers and global buyers of tourism product across 21 African countries. ATTA President Nigel Vere Nicoll commented “Tourism and Aviation are sectors that are symbiotic and need each other to fully thrive. We have met to ensure that together we provide solutions and a standard way of operating within safety protocols and also come up with ideas that can propel travel to Kenya. Our simple message “Karibu Kenya” tells the world that Kenya is open and safe for travellers”.
