TOURISM CS PENINA MALONZA PHOTO COURTESY: SIGNS TV
Kenya is gearing up to host the 3rd edition of the East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) in November, aimed at bolstering regional tourism. The announcement was made by Peninah Malonza, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, during the event’s unveiling at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The scheduled dates for the expo are November 20th-22nd, 2023, and it will run concurrently with the annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE).
Malonza emphasized that this dual approach not only enhances Kenya’s visibility but also fosters regional partnerships and investments within the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. She underscored the importance of unity and a shared vision within the East African Community, stating that these events offer a platform for the regional travel trade to showcase their offerings and network on a global scale.
The Tourism Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the pivotal role of the tourism sector in driving inclusive growth and employment opportunities within the region. She expressed her commitment to keeping industry stakeholders informed about progress and new strategies, programs, and partnerships available in the market.
Malonza stressed the significance of collaboration between countries and their regional partners to strengthen the tourism sector.
Abdi Dubat, the Principal Secretary of the East Africa Community, emphasized the substantial contribution of the tourism sector to the East African region’s GDP and employment, stressing the importance of sharing their unique heritage globally. He also noted the potential for intra-Africa tourism and advocated for its promotion.
John Olotuaa, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, reiterated the commitment to promote intra-regional tourism flow across borders, anticipating that this platform would enhance relations among partners across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
EARTE is an annual regional travel fair showcasing the diverse tourism offerings of East African Community partner states, while MKTE is Kenya’s flagship annual travel trade fair, bringing together tourism stakeholders and media from key source markets globally. These two expos have now been merged into a single event, offering increased value and engagement for all participants.
John Chirchir, the Acting CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase Kenya as a unique tourist destination and solidify its position as a premier Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) destination in the region.