NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 1 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will on Thursday open the 15th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) at Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens.
Themed “Magical Kenya: Unlocking Africa’s Potential through Sustainable Tourism,” the expo comes as Kenya seeks to consolidate its position as a leader in sustainable tourism development and investment.
According to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the event will host more than 6,500 delegates from 40 countries, making it one of Africa’s key tourism gatherings.
Kenya’s tourism sector attracted a record 2.4 million international arrivals in 2024, generating Sh452 billion in revenue. The government has set a target of welcoming 5.5 million visitors by 2027 under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the expo integrates the Africa Tourism Investment Forum (ATIF), developed in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to connect vetted African tourism businesses with global investors and policymakers.
She noted that ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway and the Dongo Kundu Bypass at the Coast, as well as expanded air connectivity, are expected to boost visitor numbers.
With global demand shifting towards authentic and sustainable travel, the World Travel and Tourism Council projects Africa’s tourism sector will grow 6.5 percent annually over the next decade, potentially reaching $350 billion in total contributions.
