KENYA: Kenya Tourism Federation Opposes Cutting Down Tourism Trade Fairs Attendance

Kenya Tourism Federation like many other Tourism, Travel and Hospitality stake holders are sharply opposed to Kenya Tourism Ministry cutting down of budget for Tourism exhibition attendance.

Are we not supposed under an agreement to have joint stands at tourism trade fairs, which includes Kenya?

Why are they suddenly breaking ranks with us?

Whatever they are trying to say, why not tell the truth that they failed to allocate enough money for tourism marketing this year?

Well let me tell them, if they are AWOL those of us who are at those trade shows will simply sell our own countries and Kenya’s loss will be our gain.

Entebbe and Kigali are now well connected to Europe, the Gulf and across Africa and it is no longer essential to fly through Nairobi to get here said a leading Ugandan tourism agent.

Another from Rwanda said This is an uninformed decision taken for lack of money surely and now trying to explain it away.

I speak of experience because we were told last year that permit fees for gorilla tracking had to be doubled for conservation reasons and we now know that this was equally poorly informed.

At least we still go to tourism trade shows and with the Kenyan competition absent we stand a better chance to sell those expensive permits.

Mohammed Hersi Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation made the following statement:

I am one of the few people who are opposed to the move by KTB to pull out of fairs. Even retaining ITB Berlin was after we raised hue and cry.

I do NOT recall any research or study that was done or shared with us for a buy in that indeed participating in these fairs is waste of time and money.

WTM London is mainly for UK agents and some European. It is even more crucial now that BREXIT is happening and UK is taking back Its rightful No 1 position as a tourist source for Kenya . ITB is for entire EU and other buyers

Indaba is mainly for Safari Buyers especially North America. Australia etc. ATM Dubai is for the GCC and Asia.

They talk of ROI. Firstly we have never been told how much we spend on these fairs besides we all fly ourselves and also pay for our accommodation we then share the cost of the stand.

The justification put forward is that we are now adopting a direct consumer approach does not hold any water since it is a known fact that as a safari destination you’ll always need a DMC who in turn works with wholesalers globally.

The logistics of attracting a do it yourself client for a safari itinerary is next to impossible more so when we are trying to attract families.

You tell me which family from Sydney or Seattle or Tokyo would attempt to do that?

Even with a DMC they are never sure about Africa. Kenya as a destination is not some Disney that we can wake up and claim to market direct to the consumer.

You bypass the wholesalers and you avoid the fairs then they’ll happily read your obituary to any potential visitor while our competitors will happily pick the pieces.

They have already done it at ATM Dubai and Indaba Durban and soon at WTM London.

We have no issue with digital campaign but that should complement other channels like fairs.

Even at our worst image crisis as nation like the PEV of 2007/8 while the peace accord was signed on 28th Feb 2008 the following week we were at ITB telling the world we are open for business.

Imagine for once if we missed out?

To KTB if fairs are a failure how comes the rest of the world are all attending?

What is that very special insight that KTB has that has been missed out by the rest of the world who are still wasting their time and money at these fairs so to speak?

If KTB is going digital how come the Tech zones at these fairs are getting bigger and better every year yet all they do is to trade online.

Why would Booking.com, Expedias and The likes "waste" their money at fairs yet they can comfortably do it in a digital way besides that is precisely what they are Online Travel Agents OTA’s.

Where would you meet 30 buyers from 4 continents and 20+ source countries in 3 days?

If you were to physically visit all these source countries to meet all these players you will blow your budget for the next three years.

Coca Cola President was asked by a young pilot why they spend so much money on advertising yet Coca Cola is already popular.

The President calmly responded to the young pilot “Why are we running the engine and yet we are already airborne.”

I am afraid pulling out of these fairs will negatively affect our destination while the competition is rubbing their hands with glee.

Well time will tell and as industry players we are exploring how to take ourselves to WTM London.

If that is to happen then KTB’s very existence will be under focus since marketing and promoting the destination is their first mandate which by default they would have abdicated.

I rest my case
Mohammed Hersi
Chairman
Kenya Tourism Federation

KENYA: Tourists Flock Kenya Hotels In Readiness For Easter

Coast Hotels are optimistic of peak business during the Easter holiday that begins Friday.

Some of the establishments are already fully booked as holidaymakers trickle in to the resort town of Diani for festivities.

Hotels say local tourists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda have boosted their Easter bookings.

Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort General Manager, Dickson Ogolla, said the hotel has 60 per cent bookings for Easter, adding that he expects the number to increase before Friday.

"We expect the bookings to increase to 80 per cent as more guests from upcountry will be trickling down for the celebrations," he said today.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye and Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) chairman Mohamed Hersi said operators were banking on the long weekend for increased business.

They say most hotels in the region are enjoying 70 to 80 per cent bed capacity with camps enjoying 60 per cent.

“We are doing fine. Easter has come quite early this time in March rather than April. We are looking at good occupancies although again Kenyans are very good in last minute bookings. We are optimistic the hotels will be full,” Mr Hersi said.

“Try to book a flight to Mombasa or Madaraka Express you won’t find any. That just tells you many Kenyans are travelling,” he added.

Kaskazi Beach Hotel general manager Imtyaz Ahmed Mirza echoed the sentiment, saying his hotel currently has an occupancy of 95 per cent.

Baobab Beach Resort also confirmed a 100 per cent occupancy rate, with 50 per cent of guests being locals while the rest are international visitors.

Mr Ikwaye reckons that the increased business from the region is due to marketing.

“There has been a lot of investments in terms of marketing in Kwale. Players in the sector have gone to World Travel Market and Uganda to source for tourists. They have upped their marketing budget and it is paying off,” he said.

He says quelled political temperatures and continued peace have also boosted tourist confidence.

“Many people didn’t travel in December due to the rising political temperatures. They now have a reason to take holidays and schools will also be closed. We are in the end of high season. Accessibility due to road network has really helped,” he added.

Despite the positive prospects ahead of the Easter holiday, Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has recently blamed over-reliance on seasonal foreign tourists for loss of Kenya's competitive edge in the global market.



Tourism Observer

KENYA: Tourists Pouring In Maasai Mara National Reserve Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has endeavored to calm anxiety international visitors after the Supreme Court prolonged the electoral process last Friday.

KTF chairman Mohamed Hersi on Monday informed tour operators and travel agents based in overseas markets that Kenya remained receptive to tourists.

All is well in Kenya, and we call on holidaymakers who were planning to visit the country to come and have fun,he said.
Kenya will remain peaceful during a repeat of the presidential election to take place within 60 days.

Mr Hersi said normal life continues in Nairobi and all the tourist circuits including the national parks, game reserves and the beach resorts at the Coast.

It is still a peak season for the safari circuit as international visitors are still pouring in the Maasai Mara National Reserve for game drives and other parks across the country, said Mr Hersi who is also the chief executive at Sun Africa Hotels.

He said he expects more tourists to visit the Coast as the winter season approaches in Europe.Lodges and tented camps in the Mara have since July been busy, thanks to the wildebeest migration spectacle.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye said hotel occupancy in Mombasa had improved following the calm enjoyed after the Supreme Court verdict.

He said hotel guest numbers had jumped to 60 per cent up from 50 per cent last month due peace in the region.At the Coast, international arrivals are on the increase following resumption of charter flights from Europe to Mombasa two months ago.

A repeat of the presidential election will not affect the industry given that the country enjoyed peace during the General Election last month.

Visitor numbers are expected to hit the 1.5 million mark by the end of this year, according to Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) officials.

Last year, international arrivals to the country rose by 16.7 per cent to 877,602 up from 752,073 in 2015.

The country also received 429,749 cross border visitors, putting the total combined arrivals during the period to 1.3 million, a 10 per cent growth from the previous year.

KTB chairman Jimi Kariuki and KTB chief executive officer Betty Radier said they are counting on international arrivals to hit their target.

Mr Kariuki attributed the tourism fortunes to a reduction of park entry fees, visa waiver for children under 16 and charter incentive programmes as well as a waiver of landing fees for Moi and Malindi international airports.

A number of international airlines have increased flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa following a surge in tourists visiting the country for holidays.

Airlines that have increased flights from Europe to Nairobi include Lufthansa and Swiss international carriers.Mr Kariuki and Ms Radier said visitors from across the globe had since July been flocking to the Masai Mara National Reserve to watch the wildebeest migration.

In the past two months, wildlife enthusiasts have been pouring into the Mara in droves to witness the migration of wildebeests from Tanzania to Kenya, Mr Kariuki said.

Charter airlines that have resumed flights from Italy to Mombasa include Neos Air, Meridiana Fly and Blue Panaroma.

A polish carrier Enter Air is also operating flights between Warsaw and Mombasa while Condor serves the Frankfurt-Munich-Mombasa route.

Hotels in the coastal resort towns are at the moment receiving more international tourists following the return of charter airlines, said Mr Kariuki.

According to Ms Radier, the industry’s growth has been bolstered by yielding markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India and China.

The KTB chief executive attributed the growth to the government’s tourism recovery campaigns carried out locally and internationally.

In the past five years, KTB has been focusing on tourism recovery by convincing the international markets that Kenya is a safe holiday destination in a bid to overcome perceptions of insecurity, she said.

She added: Security improvement and positive image building campaigns have paid off as the international markets now have confidence in Kenya.

To increase international tourist numbers, Ms Radier said KTB would focus more on markets which yield good results.She added that the marketing agency was working towards promoting the country in new markets.

Ms Radier said this financial year, the government allocated the agency Sh2 billion, with 80 per cent of the funds to be spent on marketing activities.

We have been aggressively marketing the country in traditional markets of the United Kingdom, US, Germany, Italy and France. Our efforts are paying off, she added.

The marketing agency, she said, has also carried out tourism promotion in emerging markets of India and China, adding that tourist numbers from the two markets have been on the rise.

Last year, the US was our top market in terms of arrivals, followed by the UK, India and China. Uganda was our top market in Africa, she explained.

Apart from traditional and emerging markets from Europe and Asia, Ms Radier said KTB is also wooing more tourists from South Africa, West Africa and North Africa.

Through the Tembea Kenya campaign, we are also doing domestic tourism drives to encourage Kenyans to travel across the country for holidays, she said.

The marketing agency, she added, targets to woo more tourists from neighbouring countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia.

Since July, lodges and camps in the Mara have been receiving international visitors from the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, Japan, China, Switzerland and Austria.

Following the calm enjoyed in the country, hotels, lodges and camps are expected to register high guest numbers between this month and December.

Kenya’s tourism industry had two positive things going for it in the last one week despite jitters over elections.

First, the decision by the Opposition Nasa to seek legal redress at the Supreme Court has significantly reduced political tension. Second, the travel advisory issued by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not include Safari destinations and beach resorts at the Coast.

The FCO had on August 13 updated its travel advice against Kenya, citing protests that had erupted in a number of areas following the disputed presidential election results.

The hoteliers quickly took note of the bright spots. The key magnet for tourists: the national parks, game reserves and wildlife conservancies as well as coastal resort towns were not covered by the warning.

The hoteliers noted that the FCO warning affects part of Lamu County where the Kenya Defence Forces is currently leading an air campaign against Somali-based Al-Shabaab terrorists but excludes its islands including Manda which foreign visitors flock to.

Mr Sam Ikwaye, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast Branch Executive Officer, says the travel advice will not deter British holidaymakers from visiting Kenya in the remaining part of the year.

Mr Ikwaye said the UK is a key market for Kenya with tourists flocking to our beaches, parks, and wildlife conservancies.

Since security has significantly improved at the coast, the KAHC official called on operators of chartered airlines in the UK to resume flights to Mombasa to boast tourist arrivals.

Charter airlines from the UK market pulled out of the Mombasa route in 2014 over security concerns. That all tourist hotspots in the country are not affected by the UK travel advice is a major indicator that the country is safe for holidays, Mr Ikwaye said.

In Lamu, county tourism director Ali Ahmed applauded the UK for excluding Lamu and Manda islands from the travel advisory. Previously, he said, UK advisories included the Lamu archipelago impacting negatively on tourism.

Following peaceful elections, Mr Ahmed said more local and international tourists were expected to visit the archipelago.

It is worth noting that the entire Lamu County remained peaceful during and after the General Election, bringing hope to efforts by the government to revive tourism on the archipelago, he said.

Lamu is expected to receive more international tourists from the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Scandinavian countries, he said.



Tourism Observer

KENYA: Mombasa County Government Urged To Scrap Proposed Local Tourism Fund (LTF)

Tourism players have asked the Mombasa County government to scrap the proposed Local Tourism Fund (LTF) in order to spare them the headache of over-taxation.

Through the the Mombasa County Local Tourism Bill 2017, the devolved unit has proposed the establishment of LTF which will collect levies and fees from players in the industry.

The Bill proposes that revenues collected be used to develop the county's tourism sector.

However, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye said the County should delete the provision creating the Local Tourism Fund from the proposed legislation.

He said Part 4 of the Bill should be be scrapped in its entirety as it clashes with the National Tourism Act of 2011, which under Section 105 established the Tourism Fund a body mandated to collect a levy meant to finance the development of tourism products and services.

Levies collected by the Tourism Fund also go towards financing marketing of the country through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) as well as training and capacity development activities done by the Kenya Utalii College and other students of the hospitality industry.

We are against Mombasa County government’s plan to establish a Local Tourism Fund because its mandate and roles are similar to those of the Tourism Fund, Mr Ikwaye said on Tuesday in Mombasa.

The KAHC official warned that the establishment of a similar body by Mombasa County would overburden taxpayers in the sector.

Part 4 of the bill has the potential to increase the cost of doing business as the county proposes to charge levies and fees from the local tourism businesses, he said.

Kenya Tourism Federation chairman Mohamed Hersi also called on the Hassan Joho-led government to withdraw the provision creating the body, saying players in Mombasa already contribute to the Tourism Fund.

It should be noted that tourism businesses are already overburdened by taxation. Any move by the county to impose more levies through the local tourism fund will make Mombasa a hostile business environment, he warned.

Mr Hersi, who is also the Heritage Hotels chief executive officer, called on the county's bosses to seek more funds from the national government rather than introducing new levies and fees.

When reached for comment, Mombasa County Tourism executive, Binti Omar, called on tourism stakeholders to present their views at a public participation meeting to be held soon.

“The County Local Tourism Bill is still open to public participation. Therefore, I call on the private sector to present their opinions and the County will find ways of addressing the matter,” she said.


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KENYA: Tourists Returning To Lamu, Herders Attack And Loot Lodges

Tourists are trickling back to Lamu days after the British government withdrew a travel advisory against the picturesque island.

The advisory, which had been in existence for more than five years, came as a result of insecurity from constant terror attacks and kidnapping of tourists by suspected Al Shabaab militias.

Governor Issa Timamy said the British government’s move to have the advisories lifted was timely and a big boost for the tourism sector.

“I am delighted that the British government decided to suspend the travel ban on Manda and Lamu islands. When our tourism sector is picking, it means that our fishermen are able to sell their catch to various hotels in Lamu.

Our farmers too, once the weather improves, will be able to sell their farm produce to the hotels,” Mr Timamy said.

He added that dhow and boat operators, and tour guides also stood to benefit from the revival of tourism. During the just-concluded Lamu Yoga Festival, the town recorded impressive tourist hotel bookings.

“I was impressed that out of the 350 participants, 200 come from some 27 different nations of the world. This is a clear indication that Lamu’s popularity as a long-haul holiday destination of choice is on the mend,” said Timamy.

The governor said improved infrastructure would further open up the area, citing the introduction of direct flights to the town from Nairobi and Mombasa.

Skyward Express Ltd, based in Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, has announced plans to start the first-ever direct flights between Mombasa and Lamu.

County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said security forces would remain vigilant to ensure that the region was safe for both locals and tourists, adding that tourism formed a crucial pillar of the region’s economy.

And in Kitui County, ongoing projects are expected to open up the tourism sector. County Tourism Executive Peter Nkunda said several tourist attraction sites, among them a reptile park in Mutomo, the Kanyonyoo wildlife sanctuary and bird watching areas in Mutito and Mumoni hills would be revamped. “We have an elaborate plan to make Kitui a tourist destination.

For instance, the reptile park, which is almost complete, will be a regional tourist attraction centre; one of its kind in East and Central Africa,” he said. The reptile park will showcase some of the deadliest snakes in the world that are found in Ukambani.

The county is working with the National Museums of Kenya to craft a 10-year management plan for the park. According to Mr Nkunda, the county is also in the process of establishing an ecotourism centre at the mythical Nzambani rock, said to have magical powers.

Describing tourism in Kitui as a game changer for the county, Nkunda said the sector had a lot of untapped potential ranging from natural to cultural and historical attractions.

Meanwhile, torching of a tourist lodge and cottages in Suyian camp has sent shivers down the spines of conservationists in Laikipia County. They say the trend might cause a nosedive in the region’s tourism sector.

Although no physical attacks have been meted out on tourists, tourism stakeholders and conservationists are worried that if not checked, the situation might lead to massive loses.

Information from commercial ranchers indicates that so far, five camps have closed down: two in Mugie Ranch, one in Laikipia Nature Conservancy, one on Sosian and the latest casualty in Suyian Conservancy. Last weekend, Suyian was attacked by hundreds of armed herders who set on the conservancy’s main lodge and cottages.

The herders also looted from the lodges. The herders escaped into the bushes, carrying with them mattresses and other property.

The invasions have increased in the last few months since the onset of the dry spell, and despite complaints by the local leadership, the migrant herders are still streaming into the locality, causing massive destruction on the habitat which is home to various wild animals, including the Big Five.

Of concern is the invasions of lodges and camps that host thousands of tourists from various parts of the world. Laikipia has about 30 lodges and tourism enterprises. But ranchers have downplayed the effect, saying only about five are affected by the invasions.

According to information posted by Mr Richard Vigne, the Executive Director of Ol Pejeta Conservancy yesterday, Suyian and Mugie ranches are still occupied by hundreds of herders with thousands of livestock. “Suyian Ranch and Mugie Conservancy remain fully occupied by thousands of pastoralists’ cattle.

It is not clear what, if any plan the authorities have to deal with the issues on these two properties in northwestern Laikipia,” Vigne said.

Laikipia County Commissioner Onesmus Musyoki said the ranchers and communities grazing committees are in dialogue to arrest the situation. “We understand that Suyian, which was attacked last weekend has started consultations with the community to strike a deal where they will allow them graze a manageable number of cattle,” said Mr Musyoki.

Musyoki, who spoke after a meeting with Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet however noted that only Mugie, Kivuku and Laikipia Nature Conservancy were under intense attacks. David Tumpes, the Mukogodo East Ward Administrator said the invasions are likely to affect tourism ventures.

Last year, herders believed to be from the neighbouring Isiolo county invaded Il Ngw’esi and Tasia community lodges, which they attacked, killing two workers. However, no tourist was injured during the attack, although it is feared the attacks might repulse visitors heading to the region.

Early this week, the United Kingdom issued a status update on its citizens, an alert which sent fears of an impending travel advisory in case the situation does not improve.

“UK nationals remain free to make their own decisions regarding travel based on the information available,” said Stephen Burns, Head of Communications at the embassy in a statement.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) also held a meeting at the Lions Court in Nanyuki, where it exuded confidence that the operations taking place in the invaded ranches will improve the situation.

KTB Chairman Jimi Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer Dr Betty Addero, KTB’s Peter Gacheru and Kenya Tourism Federation official Lucy Karume said Laikipia is among key tourist destinations, as they called for partnership between tourism stakeholders, security agencies and the community.

“We urge stakeholders to engage the security and the community so as to put a halt to such incidences,” said Mr Kariuki.

Laikipia farmers Association, an organisation comprising ranchers and other conservationists released a statement where they noted that reinforcing Laikipia’s security and widening dialogue will avert ruin of Sh4 billion-a-year investments that employ more than 5,000 staff.

Five of Laikipia’s approximately 30 tourism enterprises have closed temporarily, including Suyian. The rest remain fully operational.

KENYA: African Travel & Tourism Association Says Kenya Tops World In Tourist Bookings

Kenya has in 2016 recorded the largest growth in tourist bookings globally, says American-based luxury travel network Virtuoso.

The agency boasts 390 members and more than 11,400 elite travel advisors in 40 countries across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Virtuoso said Kenya scored 59 per cent, followed by Iceland (56), Saint Martin (39), China (35), Ecuador (34), Japan (32), South Africa (28), Tanzania (27), Croatia (25) and Jamaica 23 per cent to close the top 10 list.

The firm, which has affiliations with 1,700 hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, said Africa enjoyed a steady rise in tourist arrivals during summer, with a commanding 28 per cent.

In Nairobi, the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) signed a partnership with British Airways that will see clients of the federation enjoy a 13-17 per cent discounted air fare for every online purchase of a ticket between now and end of May 2017.

Acting KTF chief executive Susan Ongalo described the initiative as timely, saying KTF members would now market Kenya abroad and inform their clients of the subsidised rates.

She said tourists would enjoy lower charges as many hotels, tour operators and travel agents had initiated a cost-reduction incentive for repeat clients.

Virtuoso’s findings were announced during the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas last week on Tuesday evening, attended by travel agency members from the United States and Canada.

Virtuoso commands nearly half of the Sh3.55 trillion tourism revenues.

It said Kenya was among the “hottest” upscale holiday destinations in 2016, owing to its exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access.

Virtuoso added that Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa rank high as investment destinations and stand to experience a 17 per cent rise in tourist arrivals.

“Luxury travellers are seeking out more exotic locales worldwide, including a boom for Africa,” it said.

KENYA: Kenya Improves On Future Conference Tourism

Deputy President William Ruto (left), Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie (centre) and Kenya Tourism Federation acting CEO Susan Ogalo during the opening of the 40th ATA congress at KICC in Nairobi on November 10, 2015. Kenya is betting on a string of high profile international events set for Nairobi to attract tourists and investors.

Kenya is betting on a string of high profile international events set for Nairobi to attract tourists and investors.

Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Mrs Phyllis Kandie said the line-up of events that Kenya is set to host have the potential to turn around the sluggish tourism and attract huge investments.

She projects that by the end of December Foreign Direct Investments in Kenya will hit Sh200 billion.

“That is a doubling in one single calendar year, and evidence that Kenya is attracting huge investment and maintaining continuous steady, consistent growth that is so attractive to international investors,” said Mrs Kandie.

Kenya’s strength, the minister said, lies in its huge consumer market of 44 million, besides being the gateway into the East Africa Community (EAC), a market with 144 million people.

The country also has the potential to tap into the Comesa market with a population of 440 million.

“Kenya is holding steady while other African markets are dropping off. International investment conferences are so crucial to marketing Kenya and its investment potential,” Ms Kandie said.

INVESTORS CONFERENCE

She spoke ahead of the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) which opens tomorrow at the KICC, Nairobi.

The forum is hosted by her ministry through the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) and a number of partners.

She said KIICO 2015 would highlight key growth sectors and find solutions to challenges hindering faster growth in investment.

The theme of the conference is Think Investment — Make It Kenya.

Also, Kenya is this week hosting Pope Francis whose presence in the country is expected to draw large numbers of faithful and visitors.

The visit is also a boost to Kenya’s image.

UNCTAD CONFERENCE

The country will also be the venue for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s quadrennial Conference (UNCTAD XIV) in July next year.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade CS Amina Mohamed said the UNCTAD meeting would boost the country’s image which has received a beating in the recent past due to travel bans caused by insecurity.

This has heavily hurt tourism and investment environment.

“It will be a distinct privilege for me and all Kenyan people to welcome the nations of the world to Nairobi next July to take up the important challenge of putting trade and development policies to work in the service of sustainable development,” says Mrs Mohammed.

She said, coming at a historical moment — just after the international community has agreed to “a holistic and comprehensive set of sustainable development goals”, — the conference is tasked with translating the new development agenda into concrete actions that benefit all countries.

Former Minister Dr Mukhisa Kutuyi who currently serves as the Secretary General of UNCTAD and Mr Stephen Karau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the conferences will be “an opportunity to move beyond business as usual and forge a strong global partnership to accelerate the implementation of the global development agenda”.