20 YEARS AND COUNTING AS THE 7TH MAGICAL KENYA TRAVEL EXPO GOES UNDERWAY
(Posted 04th October 2017)
(Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala seen here cutting the ceremonial tape in the company of Tourism Principal Secretary Hersi, KTB CEO Dr. Radier and KTB Chair Kariuki)
The Who is Who of Kenya’s tourism industry last night filled the party tent to capacity when, on the opening night of the 7th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Kenya Tourism Board was celebrated.
Current and past KTB leadership, both CEO’s and Chairs, were recognized as the evening progressed but it was Kenya Airways, KTB’s platinum partner, called up to the podium first to be singled out for their continued support and sponsorship of this and other events, boosting the tourism sector of the country. Many of the hosted buyers and international media were in fact flown to Nairobi from a range of Kenya Airways’ destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, India and the Far East.
The local crowd which included representatives of the 180 exhibitors, the largest number ever recorded for this event, was joined by 132 hosted buyers from as far as Australia, the Benelux countries, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, the GCC, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Nordic, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, Britain and the United States.
Also present were the invited local, regional and international media, reporting about not just this event but about Destination Kenya on a year round basis.
A special video was shown marking the milestones of the past 20 years of KTB while looking firmly into the future already.
it was of course all business in the morning when Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala officially opened the show from the KTB exhibition stand.
He, when asked by this correspondent about his ministry’s and KTB’s plans for greater media engagement, responded by thanking those media organisations and individuals reporting positively about the country. He also appealed to the fourth estate as a whole to embrace more accurate and factual reporting about events in the country instead of sensationalising issues which then portray Kenya negatively when in fact the opposite is the case.
KTB’s CEO Dr. Betty Radier spoke earlier on during the brief opening ceremony and where she said:
‘Greetings and Welcome to Magical Kenya!
The Kenya Tourism Board is delighted once again to bring you the 7th edition of Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) from the 3rd October to 5th October 2017.
Over the years MKTE has been our platform to enhance tourism business in Kenya through B2B engagements.
This exposition has become one of the fastest growing tourism events in the region and is currently positioned as the leading travel trade fair in East Africa.
We are delighted that you have taken time to attend our 7th MKTE edition. Magical Kenya Expo affords our partners opportunity to access a gathering of Africa’s tourism leaders, policy makers, global buyers international media as well as local.
Your presence serves to ensure the continued business growth and development for the Tourism industry in Kenya. Our hosted buyers and local and regional exhibitors will have the opportunity to network and explore business opportunities available in the tourism and travel trade business.
This year’s MKTE trade show will host 132 hosted buyers and over 180 exhibitors. The hosted buyers are from Kenya’s key source markets around the world, giving an opportunity for the Kenyan travel trade to market their products and services.
A record 1,500 pre-scheduled Business to Business (B2B) meetings between Kenyan tourism trade and travel agents from key source markets have already been set up.
We remain optimistic about MKTE growth prospects in meeting the interest of tourism entrepreneurs and we look forward to showcasing new products and services that attest to the diversity of experiences that Magical Kenya has to offer the world.
Once again welcome to the 7th edition of MKTE and enjoy the magical experience of Kenya’s tourism products‘.
(Come Live The Magic – It is smiles all round as the show goes underway)
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo organization was this year for the first time outsourced to South Africa’s On Show Solutions, part of a five year contract signed between KTB and them earlier in the year.
More information about Destination Kenya can be found via www.magicalkenya.com and through the Kenya Wildlife Service website www.kws.go.ke
