Kenya to participate in March's global tourism bourse in Germany

NAIROBI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will participate in the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) slated for March in Berlin where the east African nation intends to showcase diversified products and attract new arrivals, officials said on Wednesday.

Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, said that a high-powered delegation of government officials and industry executives will attend the March 4-8 annual expo for global tourism players.

"We have already secured a stand at the expo and over 40 private investors, tour operators and hoteliers will be in attendance," said Balala.

The international tourism bourse is a very crucial forum for exchanging ideas, making new contacts and signing new deals. We expect to generate new arrivals at the expo," he added.

Balala said the Kenyan delegation is expected to interact with about 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries and regions to learn about emerging issues in the tourism sector.

"ITB is also a perfect platform to not only meet the best minds in the industry but to also showcase the diverse tourism products we have to offer our visitors as a destination," said Balala.

He said that Kenya has embarked on diversification of tourism products to attract new arrivals amid competition with other Africa's popular destinations like Seychelles and Mauritius.

"Our success in tourism is attributable to product diversification, value for money and enhanced infrastructure in the country," said Balala.

He said the government has improved the policy and regulatory environment to encourage additional investments in the tourism sector.

Government statistics indicate that the German market is Kenya's fifth most important international tourism source market with a market share of 3.87 percent by December 2018.

Betty Radier, chief executive officer of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), said the government will leverage on the global tourism bourse in Berlin to showcase opportunities in the rapidly growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.