With 93 finalists across 19 categories, the awards are strengthening their place in Kenya’s travel industry calendar, recognising businesses, building industry connections and putting service excellence at the centre of competition.
Kenya’s travel industry will converge in Nairobi on 27 November for the third edition of the Kenya Travel Industry Business Awards (KeTIBA), with 93 finalists competing for recognition across 19 categories.
Organised by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), this year’s awards attracted more than 150 entries through the self-nomination process. Following peer-to-peer voting involving KATA members and industry suppliers, 93 entries progressed to the finalist stage, representing about 59 per cent of submissions. Public voting is now open and closes at midnight on 15 November, ahead of the gala dinner at Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi.
The growing reach of KeTIBA reflects the expanding scale of the industry it seeks to recognise. Kenya’s tourism sector generated approximately Sh500 billion in earnings in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s sector performance report. The country recorded 7.9 million travellers, comprising 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million domestic travellers, with international arrivals growing by about 9 per cent from the previous year.
Supporting this market is a broad commercial network of airlines, travel agencies, hotels, tour operators, destination management companies and technology providers. In 2025, IATA reported Sh74 billion in annual airline ticket sales through its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Kenya, illustrating the scale of business moving through the agency distribution channel.
Within this ecosystem, KeTIBA is providing something the industry has long needed: a platform where businesses and professionals across different segments can gain visibility and recognition for their contribution. By bringing agencies, airlines, hospitality providers, tourism organisations and suppliers into one awards programme, KATA is helping create a shared industry identity that extends beyond individual companies and commercial interests.
The gala has also grown into a significant industry gathering. Last year’s edition attracted approximately 350 attendees, bringing together executives, travel professionals, suppliers and other stakeholders. The 2026 event is expected to build on that momentum, offering an opportunity for networking, partnerships and business conversations alongside the celebration of the finalists and winners.
For an industry built on relationships, this gathering has practical value. Connections between airlines, travel agencies, hotels and technology providers influence distribution, product development and access to markets. Bringing these players together in one setting creates room for collaboration while allowing businesses to strengthen their visibility among potential partners and customers.
Beyond the ceremony, the awards also create an incentive for businesses to examine how they serve their customers and compete in the market. Recognition can strengthen a company’s reputation, but it can also encourage organisations to invest in service delivery, reliability, innovation and professional standards. In a sector where customer experience can determine whether a traveller returns or recommends a service, these are commercially important measures.
The selection process combines self-nomination, peer-to-peer industry voting and public participation, allowing both industry stakeholders and travellers to have a voice. Ronalds LLP, the official KeTIBA auditors, is independently overseeing the voting process and verification of results, adding an important layer of accountability to the competition.
As public voting opens, the challenge is to ensure that recognition reflects more than brand visibility. Clear assessment criteria and confidence in the voting process will be important in establishing KeTIBA as a credible industry benchmark. The distinction matters because the businesses being recognised operate in different segments, with different measures of performance and customer expectations.
KATA’s Board of Directors say the strong participation recorded this year reflects the industry’s commitment to service excellence and professionalism. They encourage stakeholders and travellers to participate in the public voting process and support the finalists.
The significance of such recognition extends beyond the businesses competing for awards. InvestKenya estimates that tourism supported more than 1.7 million jobs in 2024, while the Tourism Regulatory Authority has reported more than 33,000 registered and licensed tourism enterprises. The quality and competitiveness of these businesses have a direct bearing on the wider visitor experience and the sector’s ability to sustain growth.
For KATA, KeTIBA is therefore more than an annual awards ceremony. Its growing participation points to an initiative that is creating a stronger platform for industry recognition and engagement. The next measure of its success will be how effectively that recognition translates into better business practices, stronger professional standards and a more competitive travel sector.
Vote Here : https://awards.ketiba.co.ke/index.php?pg=public-vote
View the list of nominees : https://ketiba.co.ke/ketiba-2026-nominees/