#MKTE2019 – as seen through the eyes of The Fisayo

Magical Kenya Travel Expo Highlights! by thefisayo

Let me start by saying, if you do anything, do not forget to binge on my upcoming YouTube videos of my Magical Kenya experience. On my previous blog posts, I described my experience at some of the destinations I visited in Kenya as being blissful and adventurous at the same time.

About 5 days into my stay in Kenya, the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo began with all forms of excitements, dance, and celebrations. If you missed out on the event, here are a few things I think Nigeria and other countries can learn from Magical Kenya Travel Expo #MKTE2019 ;

1. The government sees the value in her tourism and is putting in all effort to see it grow by forming strategic partners, and focusing/promoting her selling point (wildlife and beach destinations – CLICK HERE to read more)
2. All exhibitors and visitors had a pre-scheduled meeting which enhanced ease of human mobility on the facility as well at the logistics. This reduced confusion on the part of the visitors, which also contributed to reduced congestion on the facility.
3. Each visitor was gifted a map among-st other things to help with the ease of movement on the facility.
4. There were meaningful engaging seminars each day of the event to help travel business owners learn how to scale their businesses in these digital age.
5. The Kenya tourism board partnered with 3rd part logistics firm to ensure that an expert was on ground to make things seamless for all stakeholders at the #MKTE2019.

These are a few among-st many other lessons to be learnt by other African countries to help grow the continent’s value and demand for tourism products.

Asides from this, during the press briefing with the Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Wildlife- Hon. Najib Balala, he mentioned that Kenya received 2,025,206 international tourist arrivals in 2018, and he is projecting that that this increases to 5 million international tourist arrivals by 2030. Right now, the focus of this cabinet is to grow international tourist arrivals from their top source markets which are; the United States, the United Kingdom, Uganda, Italy, United Republic of Tanzania, China, India, France, Germany, and South Africa. Nigeria ranks number 14 on Kenya’s Tourism source markets, with over 35,550 visits from Nigerians in 2018. Off course this led me to ask a few more questions, which he addressed at the private interview I had with him.

Ha! yes, we had a separate interview. And this brings me to the highlights of the #MKTE2019 events startting from day 1.

Day 1

The Opening ceremony;

I went on the dance floor with the men and women that came to welcome us, because, why not? This was alot of fun, and I was a great way to start the day

@MKTravelExpo already started an hour ago. Peep your girl on the dance floor #MKE2019 #MagicalKenya #KICC pic.twitter.com/r8NKCt6n28

— TheFisayo.com (@TheFisayo) October 2, 2019

Interviews:
I had a one on one interview with the Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife – Hon Najib Balala, as well as the CEO of Kenya’s Tourism Board – Mrs. Betty Addero Radier.

View this post on Instagram

I had an interview with the Minister of Tourism, also known at the Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife in Kenya @tunajibu We spoke on the future of tourism and partnerships in Kenya and Nigeria. Video coming out soon. _________ 10 of many ________ More on @magicalkenyatravelexpo ————— @TravCP #TravCP #TravPlaces #TravCulture #magicalkenya #tourism #MKTE2019 #kenya #travel #thefisayo

A post shared by Tourism Development Advocate (@thefisayo) on Oct 3, 2019 at 8:08am PDT

(Left) Mrs. Betty Addero Radier- CEO of Kenya’s Tourism Board

More highlights from Day one of @magicalkenya

Is it just me, or the Maasia men look like the Northern men from Nigeria? #MKTE2019 pic.twitter.com/0VRMc40Atz

— TheFisayo.com (@TheFisayo) October 3, 2019

Buyers from Nigeria

From Left: Donald Djobo, TheFisayo & Franck Olivie Kra

Day 2

My highlights on day 2 was meeting and interviewing the CEO of Uganda Tourism Board- Mrs. Lily Ajarova (the interview would be available on my PODCAST), as well as having a tastes of the exhibited food, getting my first ever henna and more!

CEO of Uganda Tourism Board- Mrs. Lily Ajarova

From Left: Kojo Bentum-Williams, Karina Angela Ramos, Professor Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome, TheFisayo

I also got my first ever #Henna at @MKTravelExpo

@KICC_kenya

What is the one new thing you have never tried before that you’d love to? #MKTE2019 #theFisayo #TravCP pic.twitter.com/bfj5u6E0eN

— TheFisayo.com (@TheFisayo) October 3, 2019

Day 3

After all the networking, exhibition, buying and selling, the event ended with a closing cocktail and more dance!

Our #MKTE2019 closing cocktail function is starting off well! It’s a great way to celebrate a great show. pic.twitter.com/mp0qqC491C

— MKTE (@MKTravelExpo) October 4, 2019

If you were to make it for next year’s event, which of these activities would you be looking forward to? (Comment below)

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