Kenya banks on business tourism to grow numbers

Government expects booming conference tourism to help revive the struggling sector.

East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said Kenya, currently ranked second in Africa after South Africa in business conferencing, is working on construction of major convention centres, which, when completed, would enable the country to clinch the number one slot.

"While traditional holidaymakers will always comprise a mainstay of the tourism sector, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) or business tourism promises to introduce a whole new dimension to the industry in this country," she said at the inauguration of the newly appointed Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Board.

The incoming Chairman of the board Omingo Magara expressed excitement about taking the challenge of guiding Kenya's Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions [MICE] ambitions, knowing full well that the country is a long-haul tourist destination.

He added that to attain this goal, the industry must deploy creative ideas of attracting tourists who will mix business/meetings and holiday making.