INDABA, is a tourism and travel expo which is organised by South African Tourism/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 11 – Kenya has taken its place among the 13,000 exhibitors participating in this years’ biggest tourism exhibition in the continent, INDABA, which is set to begin between May 12 and15 in Durban, South Africa.
INDABA, a tourism and travel expo which is organised by South African Tourism will see the Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) lead over 20 companies from the travel and hotel industry for the four-day event.
KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said the expo provides an opportunity for the country to showcase its unique selling proposition to an audience drawn from South Africa and other tourism source markets attending the exhibition.
“The tourism industry is very dynamic and international fairs such as this one provide us with an opportunity to illustrate why Kenya is a preferred tourism destination. INDABA will also provide an opportunity for Kenyan travel traders to interact with their counterparts from all over the world,” explained Muriithi.
Effects of economic recession on tourism, stimulating jobs and investment in the industry, elimination of barriers to travel such as visa restrictions and taxation are among key challenges to be discussed on the sidelines of the exhibition.
South Africa is Kenya’s second best performing market in Africa after Uganda which has maintained its lead in arrivals from the African region, recording 42,674 inbound visitors, a 25.9 percent growth compared to the same period in 2010.
Comparatively in 2011, South Africa recorded 38,354 arrivals a 16 percent growth compared to the same period in 2010. Tanzania came in third place, with 34,322 arrivals, a 13.4 percent growth from 2010.
Muriithi said the market has shown potential for further growth especially following economic recession in the key source markets of Europe and pointed out that KTB is adopting other marketing strategies aimed at attracting and retaining the traveller.
“Product diversification is our number one strategy, besides our traditional products; beach and wildlife we are known for, we are focusing on new products such as sports, eco-tourism, culture, Meeting Incentives Conferencing and exhibitions (MICE), among others”, the MD concluded.
