KTRIPS 2025: Unveiling Next-Gen Travel Payment Solutions: Smart, Secure, and Seamless

By Felix Wakiuru

The travel industry in Kenya is on an upward trajectory and as a result the travel payments landscape is taking shape. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that in 2024, Kenya contributed 2.67% of the total Middle East and Africa sales, with gross ticket sales of $ 566.8 million, reflecting a 2.11% growth ($11.7 million increase). This translates to over Ksh. 73 billion, which places the industry as a key contributor to the national economy. Beyond the numbers, this growth also implies millions, if not billions, of payment transactions within the industry annually.

KATA Chairman, Dr. Joseph Kithitu, underscores the fundamental role of payments in commerce. At the inaugural Kenya Travel Industry Payment Summit (KTRIPS), he noted, “For any business transaction to be complete, someone has to pay the other.“. His simple yet powerful statement highlights why understanding and adapting to modern payment solutions is essential for the industry’s continued success. The 2024 event convened stakeholders including travel industry leaders, financial institutions, technology providers, and regulatory experts in the travel industry focused on one objective – Exploring the Kenyan Travel Industry Payments Landscape.

The payment system in the travel industry has evolved immensely and now we are in a digital era that prioritizes convenience and security of travelers as they make payments. At this point, it is only prudent to acknowledge that tech-based payment solutions are at the forefront of this quest. The convergence of technology and traditional payment methods has bred cutting-edge solutions for the industry.

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) led by the CEO Nicanor Sabula, the board and a secretariat of forward-thinking individuals, remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring members stay ahead of industry shifts. The association actively advocates for the rapid adoption of emerging payment solutions, reinforcing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Dr. Kithitu’s message to over 300 KATA members is clear “If we do not keep learning, we will extinguish hence we should not be any lesser.”

This philosophy is what drives the association to host the two-day yearly payment summit to allow solution providers to present these solutions to the target audience directly for efficient use, better customer service, and ultimately business growth. The 2024 summit featured partnerships with leading organizations such as Absa Group, DPO Pay by Network, We Travel, Brij, Union Pay International, Buupass, Intasend, BitKE, and Paystack. Travel agents in attendance gained valuable insights and access to cutting-edge payment solutions, further streamlining their operations and enhancing their customer service.

As the industry gears up for KTRIPS 2025, expectations are high. KATA remains dedicated to fostering a conducive business environment for its members by keeping them informed about the latest developments in payment solutions. The upcoming 2025 event, scheduled for March 26th and 27th at Emara Ole Sereni, seeks to elevate travel agents’ businesses by introducing them to next-generation payment solutions. Themed “Unveiling Next-Gen Travel Payment Solutions: Smart, Secure, and Seamless,” the summit will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape. As the industry continues to surge forward, embracing smarter, more secure payment systems is not just an option. It is the future.

 

British High Commission Partners with Kenya Tourism Federation and stakeholders to Boost Security Preparedness

Bryan Obala

Kata_kenya

The British High Commission and Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) have joined forces to strengthen counter-terrorism preparedness within Kenya’s vital tourism sector through a strategic Action Counter Terrorism (ACT) training initiative.

The comprehensive training program aims to enhance the tourism industry’s resilience against potential security threats while maintaining Kenya’s position as a premier tourist destination in East Africa. This collaboration marks a significant step in protecting both local and international visitors while safeguarding the country’s tourism infrastructure.

The ACT training sessions cover crucial areas including:

  • Risk assessment and threat identification
  • Emergency response protocols
  • Crisis communication strategies
  • Staff security awareness training
  • Visitor safety procedures

Kenya Tourism Federation CEO Susan Ongalo emphasized the timing of this initiative: “Tourism is a crucial pillar of Kenya’s economy. This training will equip our industry stakeholders with essential skills to maintain Kenya’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors.”

The program will be rolled out across major tourist hubs, benefiting hotels, tour operators, and other tourism service providers. Industry experts expect this initiative to boost investor confidence and support the sector’s post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Kenya eyes Indian market with Film & MICE Tourism push

Indian travel agents are urging Kenya to introduce incentives for filmmakers and group travellers to boost visitor numbers. At a travel trade show in India, organised by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and attended by 12 Kenyan travel firms, industry experts highlighted Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and filmmaking as key growth opportunities for attracting Indian tourists.

Chetan Samani, Director of Cosmic Safaris, emphasised the potential of India’s film industry in increasing Kenya’s visibility. “Filming is a big thing in India and inquiries on MICE are also what we need to leverage to woo this market,” he said. Notably, nearly 80 international films have been shot in Kenya, with Bollywood productions often leading to a 45 per cent rise in tourist arrivals.

Kenya is actively promoting itself in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata ahead of the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai from 30 January to 1 February 2025. The country is also banking on growing demand from Indian groups and luxury travellers, with India currently ranking as Kenya’s sixth-largest source market.

According to KTB CEO June Chepkemei, the market has recorded a tremendous increase in arrivals after the pandemic to post a 12.4 per cent growth last year with 106,863 arrivals up from 95,038 visitors recorded in 2023.

Source: BW Hotelier

Air India and Kenya Airways Expand Global Network, Unlocking Seamless Travel to Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Malé, Melbourne, and Singapore: New Updates You Need To Know

Air India, India’s premier global airline, has partnered with Kenya Airways in a newly established codeshare agreement designed to streamline travel between India, Africa, and key global destinations. This enhanced collaboration builds on their existing interline agreement, offering passengers expanded connectivity and seamless booking options.

Through this codeshare arrangement, Air India will place its ‘AI’ code on Kenya Airways’ twice-daily flights between Mumbai and Nairobi. Travelers arriving in Mumbai will gain effortless access to Air India-operated flights to destinations such as Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Malé, Melbourne, and Singapore. This expansion significantly improves travel options for passengers flying between East Africa and Asia-Pacific.

“Deepening our partnership with Kenya Airways aligns perfectly with Air India’s strategic vision of expanding our global footprint and strengthening our position in key markets”, said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “Our codeshare partnership will provide significant benefit to guests of both airlines, and also contribute to the overall growth of air travel between India and Africa.”

Conversely, Kenya Airways will integrate its ‘KQ’ code onto Air India’s flights between Delhi and Nairobi, creating more travel opportunities for African passengers heading to India. Additionally, the interline agreement between the two carriers allows smooth itineraries across an extensive network—linking 28 key African cities, including Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, Harare, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Seychelles, with 15 major Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, and Kolkata.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership Air India, that will open up significant opportunity for our passengers. This codeshare agreement allows us to offer seamless connections to a wider range of destinations across both airlines’ networks, making travel easier and more convenient” said Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Kenya Airways.

By deepening their partnership, Air India and Kenya Airways are reinforcing their commitment to offering travelers a hassle-free experience, bridging two vibrant continents with greater efficiency and connectivity.

Source: Travel and Tour world

Govt Plans to Enhance Customer Experience at JKIA & Other Airports

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the government’s plan to improve customer experience in Kenyan airports including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The improvement will include adopting a service charter by coming up with a seamless coordination mechanism to enhance security, customs, immigration and customer care services at the airports.

Murkomen who spoke on Tuesday during a stakeholder meeting stated that the rollout would be done by a technical team made of officials from the ministries of transport, tourism, interior and coordination, and treasury.

According to the CS, the technical team had already begun working on a long-term strategy to enhance customer experience starting with the country’s main airport.The new charter is also expected to streamline airport operations and ensure smooth passenger movement without interfering with security protocol at the airports.

Further, Murkomen revealed that all airport workers will be required to have a name tag for ease of identification and the introduction of biometrics.

To reduce the long queues at the airports, the Interior CS announced plans to introduce more checking points and the use of advanced technology to scan travellers. 

“Most of you have gone to various countries, and in many of those countries we do not like queuing, why do you want people here in Kenya to queue for a long time,” the Interior CS commented.

Murkomen emphasised that the new transformation followed an assessment conducted by officials from the Ministry of Transport on how other airports across the world operated.

“One of the biggest contributions of this meeting is to finally adopt the airport charter. There is nothing outside in terms of security that stops us from having coordination in airports,” Murkomen stated.

“The Ministry of Transport has done a lot of work by benchmarking and researching what happens around the world, so we are not an exception as a country.”

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat who revealed that a new police unit would be established at the airports to enhance security.

According to the police boss, the officers would also undergo customer training a training he said would mainly focus on the culture, attitude, and general outlook of the officers including how they dress.

Source: Kenyans.co.ke