“The Coast region is not just a gateway; it is a critical part of Kenya’s travel and tourism economy. Look at the numbers… and the opportunities before us require stronger collaboration, innovation and strategic partnerships.”
These remarks by Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) Chairman Dr. Joseph Kithitu during the KATA Chairman’s Breakfast – Coast Edition captured the central message emerging from recent tourism engagements in Mombasa: the Coast’s future will be shaped by stronger partnerships, informed policy, and industry-led collaboration.
Held at Sapphire Hotel in partnership with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the breakfast brought together travel industry leaders and government representatives, including Mohamed Osman Ali, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Tourism, Culture and Trade in Mombasa County. The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock new opportunities for tourism growth across the region.
The discussions come at a time when Mombasa continues to strengthen its position as one of East Africa’s leading leisure, business and cruise tourism destinations. In 2026, the city hosted more than 7,500 delegates during the 11th Our Ocean Conference, while the Port of Mombasa welcomed major cruise calls, including the inaugural 690-passenger visit by Azamara Journey and a turnaround call by Crystal Symphony, further demonstrating the Coast’s growing appeal to international travellers.
Dr. Kithitu also highlighted the strong performance of Kenya’s travel industry, noting that BSP sales had reached USD 292.8 million by June 2026, representing 10 per cent year-on-year growth, with April alone recording an impressive 24.7 per cent increase. The figures reflect continued demand for travel and reinforce the importance of creating an enabling environment that supports sustainable industry growth.
KATA Ensures the Travel Trade Has a Seat at the Policy Table
Beyond industry dialogue, KATA is also ensuring that the travel trade is represented where key tourism policies are being developed.
During a recent engagement convened by the Mombasa Tourism Council, KATA was represented by Ms. Falmina Firoz, Director of Blueways Tours & Travels and Vice Chairperson of the Mombasa Tourism Council. Together with Council Chairman Dr. Sam Ikwaye, PhD, she participated in presenting the Mombasa Beach Management Report and a proposed legislative framework to the Mombasa County leadership for validation.
The report is the culmination of an extensive consultative process involving beach operators, hospitality establishments, tour operators, investors, community representatives and government agencies. It proposes a structured framework aimed at promoting sustainable beach management, protecting the coastal environment, improving visitor experiences and enhancing Mombasa’s competitiveness as a premier tourism destination.
For travel agents and tourism businesses, KATA’s participation in these strategic discussions ensures that the perspectives of the travel trade remain part of decisions that will shape the future of the Coast. From infrastructure and destination management to policy and sustainability, industry representation is essential in building a tourism ecosystem that benefits visitors, businesses and local communities alike.
Together, the Chairman’s Breakfast and KATA’s continued participation in policy discussions demonstrate the Association’s commitment to advancing a collaborative vision for Kenya’s tourism sector—one where data informs decisions, partnerships drive progress, and sustainable destination management creates long-term opportunities for the entire travel value chain.
