Innovation, sustainability, and collaboration took center stage at the official opening of the Getaway Tourism Fair 2025, held at the Sarit Expo Centre from October 30 to November 1. The three-day event brought together key players from across Kenya’s tourism and travel ecosystem, reaffirming the sector’s resilience and shared vision for sustainable growth.
The opening ceremony was graced by Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) Director General Norbert Talaam, Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) CEO Nicanor Sabula, Sarit Centre CEO Sarit Shah, and a cross-section of industry leaders and exhibitors. The dignitaries hailed the fair as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, positioning it as one of the country’s premier showcases for tourism products, destinations, and travel solutions.
In his remarks, Mr. Talaam commended the private sector’s role in driving Kenya’s tourism competitiveness, noting that public-private partnerships were crucial in building a sustainable future for the industry. “Events such as the Getaway Tourism Fair provide a platform where ideas meet opportunity,” he said. “They allow us to celebrate creativity, promote local destinations, and explore ways to align tourism growth with environmental responsibility.”
KATA CEO Nicanor Sabula highlighted the fair’s continued role in supporting Kenya’s travel trade and underscored the importance of collaboration in rebuilding and reimagining the sector in a rapidly changing global landscape. “The Getaway Fair has become a hub for meaningful engagement between travel agents, tour operators, and destination partners,” he said. “It represents the spirit of innovation and unity that continues to define Kenya’s tourism recovery and transformation.”
Sarit Centre CEO Sarit Shah praised the enduring partnership between the Sarit Expo Centre and KATA, which has made the Getaway Fair a consistent fixture in the tourism calendar. “For years, this event has showcased the best of what our industry has to offer,” he noted. “We are proud to host partners who are not only marketing travel but also shaping the future of tourism through sustainable and inclusive practices.”
Over the three days, the fair featured exhibitions from airlines, hotels, tour operators, and destination management companies, alongside interactive sessions and product showcases. Participants explored emerging trends such as green tourism, digital transformation, and regional cooperation as drivers of growth and resilience.
Beyond the exhibition halls, the event reinforced the message that Kenya’s tourism success depends on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability — values deeply embedded in the work of both KATA and the Sarit Centre.
As the curtains closed on the 2025 edition, stakeholders expressed optimism that the fair would continue to inspire new partnerships, empower travel professionals, and advance Kenya’s tourism ambitions both locally and globally.
With renewed commitment and shared purpose, the Getaway Tourism Fair remains a shining example of how the industry can come together to reimagine travel — sustainably, creatively, and collaboratively.
