Kenya hosts first-ever UNWTO East Africa Tourism Development Forum
The forum started yesterday and will continue until the 22nd August, 2015. The official opening will be done today by the Kenyan Head of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands will also participate in the conference aimed at unlocking the potential of the EAC sub-region as well as positioning it for global competitiveness
Themed “CONNECTING OPPORTUNITY”, the forum is expected to come up with series of solutions-orientated discussions focused on advancing tourism growth in the East Africa region.
Identifying approaches to cooperative development of the tourism offering as a prelude to enhanced positioning of East Africa and the Vanilla Islands within the highly competitive global tourism landscape will also be discussed.
This will go a long way in directing tourism opportunity towards destinations within the greater region. Concerns on unlocking opportunities for travelers including visa, taxation and possible opportunities for collaboration among the member states will be addressed.
The UNWTO Secretary- General Dr. Taleb Rifai is among the key participants in the forum that has attracted over 250 delegates from the region and beyond.
According to the KTB and the East African Affairs Commerce and Tourism Ministry who are co-hosting the event, the forum is envisaged to raise the destination profile as the country lines up key international events expected to take place within the remainder of the year.
Following the recently held Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) co-hosted by US President Barack Obama will the Africa Travel Association will hold its 40th anniversary congress in Nairobi in November just days ahead of Pope Francis’ first visit to Kenya.
In December then will the World Trade Organization , in short WTO, hold its annual ministerial meeting in Nairobi, again boosting visibility for the destination on a global scale.
For more information contact wwalya or communications or check out www.magicalkenya.com
