The Karibu-KiliFair 2025, East Africa’s largest tourism fair, is set to take place from June 6–8 at the Prisons Grounds in Arusha Region, bringing together tourism stakeholders from across the globe to showcase Tanzania as a premier destination for both leisure and business travel.

Briefing the media over the weekend, Managing Director of KiliFair Promotions Mr Dominic Shoo, described the Karibu-KiliFair (KKF) as East Africa’s flagship tourism expo, born from the merger of two major tourism fairs in Tanzania.

This year’s event is expected to host over 500 exhibitors from 13 countries, more than 800 registered travel agents from 40+ countries and attract approximately 15,000 tourism and travel enthusiasts.

“Karibu-KiliFair is once again the undisputed largest and most important tourism expo in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Mr Shoo.

“Our theme, ‘Where Business Meets Wildlife’, continues to set us apart globally. Tanzania remains a top MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) destination, one of the few places where business events seamlessly blend with iconic wildlife experiences.”

He said that the fair consistently delivers a powerful marketing platform not only for Arusha and Kilimanjaro but for Tanzania as a whole.

Co-Managing Director Mr Tom Kunkler praised the Tanzanian government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, for prioritising the tourism sector through the development of new attractions, national parks and investor incentives.

He said that Tanzania remains a globally recognised destination for nature-based tourism, a highly competitive market segment in East Africa. Representing the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Principal Conservation Officer – Tourism, Ms Eunice Msangi, applauded KiliFair Promotions for its commitment to promoting Tanzania’s tourism sector.

“We invite all stakeholders and members of the public to attend Karibu-KiliFair 2025 to learn more about conservation and tourism. TANAPA will be there to showcase our national parks, share investment opportunities and provide detailed information about all protected areas,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of CRDB Bank, Mr Emmanuel Kafui, Zonal Business Manager for the Northern Zone, reiterated the bank’s support for the tourism sector.

“As tourism continues to grow rapidly, CRDB Bank is committed to supporting clients in the sector,” he said.

“We offer tent loans for accommodation facilities ranging from 1m/- to 500m/-, with no collateral required.”

Source : dailynews.co.tz

The Kenya Embassy in Southeast Asia has issued a new travel advisory with important updates for Kenyan citizens planning to visit the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia.

The advisory, announced on May 29 by the embassy in Bangkok, explains new entry protocols that encourage Kenyans across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam, to take note of the changes.

According to information from the Royal Government of Cambodia, the country has lifted all COVID-19-related health restrictions for travellers.“We write to convey the following information from the Royal Cambodia Government on travellers to the Kingdom of Cambodia;

“All health requirements related to COVID-19, including testing, quarantine, and other associated measures have been vacated,” the notice indicated.

This means that incoming visitors will no longer be required to undergo testing, quarantine, or comply with any other pandemic-related health measures.

Update on Visa application through the Embassy

Additionally, Kenyans travelling to Cambodia have been advised to apply for their visas through the government’s official online e-Visa platform at https://www.evisa.gov.kh.

Further, travellers can now complete Cambodia’s e-arrival card either before departure or upon arrival at any international border checkpoint within the country.

According to the embassy, the digitised form helps speed up immigration procedures and enhances traveller convenience.

“Travellers may conveniently apply for a visa to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia through the online e-Visa system of the government at https://www.evisa.gov.kh. 

“Travellers may complete the e-arrival card either prior to or upon arrival at an international border checkpoint of Cambodia,” added the notice. 

Moreover, the Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok has encouraged all Kenyan nationals in the region to familiarise themselves with the new updates and share the information with fellow travellers.

“The Embassy requests that the information be shared with all Kenyans in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam for reference in case you are travelling to Cambodia,” stated the embassy.

US New Visa Regulations

The US is among the latest countries to enforce new visa rules affecting Kenyans.

The American government has stepped up its screening of visa applicants by checking social media posts for any content that criticises the United States or Israel.

This move, ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to prevent certain students, including Kenyans, from entering the country.

The directive specifically targets students who previously held visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, and those whose visas have been revoked during this period.

Source : The Kenya Times

Travel agents and tourism professionals from across Kenya converged at the Sarova Panafric Hotel for the two-day renowned Nairobi Spotlight Event, a key gathering that has been instrumental in fostering connections across the travel industry since its inception in 2005. Among the attendees were Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) members from the Coast and Kisumu regions, who joined their Nairobi counterparts for a day filled with meaningful engagements and market insights.

The event brought together a diverse network of travel and tourism stakeholders, including travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, and global travel brands, all united by a common goal – to strengthen business ties and explore emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving travel landscape.

KATA Chairman, Dr. Joseph Kithitu, lauded the efforts of event founder Derek Houston and his dedicated team, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to keeping the Spotlight platform alive and impactful over the past two decades.

“For 20 years, this event has provided a valuable bridge between international travel brands and the Kenyan travel trade,” Dr. Kithitu said in his remarks. “As we work toward rebuilding and expanding travel, such engagements reaffirm the strength, unity, and resilience of our industry.”

The Nairobi Spotlight Event is part of a larger regional initiative that seeks to connect African travel agents with global tourism suppliers through a series of B2B networking events held in major cities. Attendees at the Nairobi edition had the opportunity to interact with representatives from leading destinations, hotel groups, airline partners, and travel tech companies.

For KATA members, particularly those who travelled from outside the capital, the event was a chance not only to strengthen their professional networks but also to engage with international partners and gain insights into new travel products and services.

“KATA is proud to see our members actively participating in platforms that shape the future of travel,” said KATA Coast region Director, Patrick Kamanga. “This kind of interaction enhances knowledge sharing, fosters innovation, and positions Kenyan travel agents as strategic partners in the global tourism value chain.”

As the travel industry continues to recover and adapt to changing consumer trends and global demands, events like the Nairobi Spotlight serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and continued dialogue within the sector.

With a renewed sense of optimism and a growing focus on regional and international partnerships, the Kenyan travel trade community left the event energized and ready to build on the connections made, a testament to the enduring value of the Spotlight series in shaping the future of tourism in the region.

In a move that marks a significant step forward for the travel and tourism sector, Nicanor Sabula, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) for a three-year term.

The appointment, announced by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on Friday, is part of a wave of new leadership placements across various ministries aimed at strengthening service delivery and aligning institutions with the government’s broader development goals.

Mr. Sabula joins the TRA board alongside Fred Kaigua, bringing with him over two decades of industry expertise. As the CEO of KATA, a position he has held for several years, Sabula has played a pivotal role in steering the 45-year-old association through transformative milestones, including digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and robust policy advocacy on behalf of Kenya’s travel agents.

“This appointment is not only a recognition of Nicanor’s leadership but a major win for KATA and the entire travel agency sector,” said a KATA Chairman, Dr. Joseph Kithitu. “It creates a direct channel for the voice of travel agents to be heard at the regulatory level.”

The Tourism Regulatory Authority, mandated to regulate and coordinate the tourism sector in Kenya, plays a critical role in setting standards and ensuring compliance across all tourism-related services. With Sabula on the board, stakeholders anticipate greater collaboration between regulators and industry players.

His appointment comes at a time when the tourism sector is seeking to rebound and reposition itself, with a renewed focus on sustainability, innovation, and stakeholder-driven growth.

“Having a seasoned industry voice like Sabula’s at the TRA is timely,” said one KATA Member. “It reflects a commitment to grounding regulation in the realities of the market and travel trends.”

For KATA, which has represented the interests of travel agents in Kenya for 45 years, this development signifies increased influence, deeper policy engagement, and stronger positioning in national tourism development agendas.

The appointments took effect on May 30, 2025.