The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), in partnership with Travelport, brought together Eastleigh-based travel agents for a breakfast engagement at PrideInn Azure Hotel, Westlands, Nairobi, providing a platform for agents to discuss the realities of running a travel business, the value of industry representation and the need to keep pace with a rapidly changing travel landscape.
Led by KATA Board Director Abdikadir Mohamed, the session focused on the role of an industry association in creating a stronger and more connected travel agency community. Abdikadir emphasised that belonging to an association gives agents a collective platform to engage on issues affecting the sector, access industry opportunities and contribute to conversations that shape the future of travel in Kenya.
He also highlighted the importance of professional growth and collaboration among travel agents, noting that the strength of the industry is closely linked to the ability of individual businesses to connect, share knowledge and work collectively on common industry priorities.
KATA CEO Nicanor Sabula addressed the regulatory environment within which travel agencies operate, emphasising the importance of licensing and compliance with the requirements of the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). He urged agents to treat compliance as an integral part of building a sustainable travel business rather than simply a regulatory obligation.
Sabula noted that operating within the established regulatory framework provides businesses with a stronger foundation for long-term growth, while helping to build confidence among customers, suppliers and other industry partners. For travel agencies, maintaining the required licences and meeting regulatory obligations is therefore an important part of establishing credibility and creating a business that can operate sustainably in a competitive market.
Nita Nagi, Executive Director & Region Head, Kenya & Mauritius, Travelport, further reinforced the importance of compliance and responsible business practices, encouraging agents to ensure that their businesses remain properly structured and compliant as they pursue growth. She emphasised that sustainable businesses are built on strong operational foundations, with compliance, professionalism and consistency forming part of the trust that agents establish with customers and industry partners.
The Travelport team also took agents through developments in travel distribution and technology, with particular attention to New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the changes taking place across the travel retailing environment. The discussion highlighted the need for agents to understand emerging technologies and adapt their businesses as the way travel content is distributed and accessed continues to evolve.
For travel agents, the shift towards new distribution models presents both changes and opportunities. Embracing technology can enable agencies to work more efficiently, access evolving travel content and improve the way they serve customers. The Travelport team encouraged agents to remain curious about these developments and continuously build their knowledge rather than allowing changes in technology to leave their businesses behind.
The discussion also highlighted the broader shift taking place in the travel industry, where technology is increasingly influencing how airlines distribute content, how agents search and compare options, and how travellers interact with travel businesses. For agencies seeking to remain competitive, keeping up with these developments is becoming an important part of business strategy.
Beyond the presentations, the breakfast provided an open forum for Eastleigh-based agents to raise questions, share experiences and discuss issues affecting their businesses. The engagement allowed KATA and Travelport to hear directly from agents while giving participants an opportunity to engage with industry leaders and a major technology and distribution partner.
The engagement reflects KATA’s continued efforts to strengthen its connection with travel agents across different markets and business communities. By creating opportunities for direct interaction, the Association is able to bring industry issues closer to its members while connecting agents to partners, knowledge and opportunities that can support their growth.
The meeting also reinforced the importance of consumer confidence within the travel sector. KATA continues to encourage travellers to verify their travel agents through the official KATA website, providing customers with a reference point when selecting a KATA member agency for their travel needs.
The partnership with Travelport provided an important platform for the discussion, bringing together the industry association, travel technology provider and travel agents around issues that affect the future of the sector.
As travel continues to evolve, the message from the engagement was clear: sustainable travel businesses require strong foundations, professional compliance, collective representation and a willingness to embrace change.