By Customary Workforce
| Nov. 25, 2023
Tourism and Wildlife Cupboard Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua has known as on the East African Group accomplice states to work collectively and market the area as a single tourism vacation spot so as to appeal to extra enterprise from the sector.
“The EARTE expo is a platform to drive conversations on how finest we are able to work collectively as a joint advertising unit to comprehend our tourism development objectives inside the area,” he stated.
Mutua spoke whereas opening the third version of the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) and the thirteenth version of the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo (MKTE) early within the week. Mutua stated the EAC area ought to undertake an built-in tourism advertising technique so as to improve competitiveness, appeal to extra vacationers and enhance earnings.
It was the primary time Kenya was internet hosting the EARTE journey honest which was held along with the thirteenth version of the Magical Kenya Journey Expo (MKTE) beneath the theme ‘Tourism for Inexperienced Development.”
The joint expo, which ran from the twentieth to twenty second, drew 266 exhibitors and 109 consumers from not less than 31 nations. Rebecca Alitawa Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Affairs, underscored the plentiful alternatives inherent within the area, notably highlighting the shared useful resource, Lake Victoria, amongst Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Dr Mutua disclosed plans for nearer collaboration among the many EAC States, envisioning circuits to facilitate journey and promote cultural interactions throughout East Africa’s various cultures.
“The EARTE annual tourism expo is among the many key initiatives that we now have launched into as a part of implementing the Regional Tourism Advertising Technique 2021- 2025 geared toward rising customer arrivals to pre-pandemic ranges of seven.2 million by the tip of 2024,” stated Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, the deputy secretary normal in cost if customs, commerce and financial affairs on the East African Group.
The honest additionally attracted exhibitors from past the EAC area. South Africa’s Deputy Minister for Tourism Fish Mahlalela and Nombulelo Guliwe, the performing CEO of South African Tourism, led a delegation to the expo.
“Throughout my time on the expo, I had the pleasure of partaking with key tourism stakeholders from the continent, which proved to be an enlightening expertise. I gained precious insights that may allow me to advertise our nation and continent additional,” stated Ms Guliwe.
South Africa has witnessed a major development in guests from Kenya. From January by September 2023, South Africa welcomed 28,554 Kenyan guests, double the quantity in comparison with an analogous interval in 2022.
The exhibition additionally noticed some excellent news from tourism and journey stakeholders. Jambojet, as an illustration, introduced its new Mombasa-Zanzibar route, a part of its enlargement technique, in the course of the honest.
“The Mombasa – Zanzibar route is not only a flight route, however a bridge connecting the area to lovely coastal experiences in Kenya and Zanzibar. With its wealthy historical past, pristine seashores, and vibrant tradition, the 2 locations are gems inside the Indian Ocean, and we’re delighted to carry these breathtaking locations nearer to you,” stated Jambojet Chairman Vincent Rague.
Jambojet was named Africa’s Main Low-Value Airline on the World Journey Awards, Africa. Additionally celebrating a win on the expo was the luxurious Billionaire Resort and Retreat, Malindi, which gained the distinguished award for the ‘Finest Boutique Resort in Africa’ on the World Journey Awards, Africa area.
“The win is a celebration not just for the Billionaire Resort & Retreat, however for Malindi, certainly Kilifi and all the shoreline from Mombasa to Lamu,” stated Marko Hytonen, Managing Associate – Babylon Hospitality, Africa.
