The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), through its Coast Region Liaison, Mr. Patrick Maina Kamanga, participated in a high-level consultative meeting led by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, and the CEO of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). Held at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention and Spa in Mombasa, the meeting convened key stakeholders from across the tourism ecosystem to discuss Kenya’s strategic positioning in the regional Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) space.
The engagement provided a platform for tourism associations to receive critical updates on government strategies aimed at making Kenya a top-tier MICE destination in Africa. Representing the interests of travel agents and tour operators at the Coast, KATA tabled several priority issues geared toward revitalizing the region’s tourism economy.
Among the key recommendations presented by KATA were the urgent need to:
- Improve air accessibility to Mombasa through increased flight frequencies and connections.
- Establish a ring-fenced marketing budget dedicated to promoting the Kenya Coast, with implementation guided by a joint KATA-Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) committee.
- Accelerate infrastructural improvements, including the expansion of the Malindi Airport runway and completion of major roadworks crucial for tourism logistics and accessibility.
Through sustained policy engagement and public-private sector collaboration, KATA continues to champion transformative investments and regulatory support that elevate Kenya’s global tourism competitiveness, particularly for the under-leveraged coastal belt.
Unlocking Coastal Opportunities: KATA Hosts Mnarani Club Familiarization Trip
As part of its commitment to equipping members with actionable market insights and strengthening supplier networks, KATA recently facilitated a familiarization trip to Mnarani Club & Spa. This hands-on excursion enabled members to conduct on-site inspections, evaluate product offerings, and explore new experiential travel opportunities along the Coast.
From engaging in in-depth property tours to networking over curated beachside barbeques, the trip allowed travel professionals to gather critical knowledge on the region’s hospitality infrastructure and its potential for bespoke travel packages.
Participants praised the initiative for providing not just a discovery platform but also business-to-business engagement opportunities essential for travel packaging, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
By curating immersive, experience-driven interactions, KATA reaffirmed its commitment to helping members diversify their offerings and respond proactively to evolving travel trends. These efforts underscore the association’s broader vision of catalysing innovation, knowledge-sharing, and growth within Kenya’s travel industry.
Upcoming Event: Inter-Regional Agriculture Symposium – Mombasa, 23–26 September 2025
KATA, in partnership with Lamp Serge Group – Botswana, will co-host the Inter-Regional Agriculture Symposium in Mombasa, bringing together 50 delegates from seven African countries. A special excursion day on 25th September will feature curated coastal tours, including city, marine, and dolphin experiences.
