Kenya’s profile as a popular tourist destination has received a lift with the Kenya Tourism Board winning the bid to host this year’s World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony.
The event will occur on October 16th.
The WTA nominations will recognise excellence within the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, thus encouraging nominees to uphold constant improvement in products and delivery of service.
The decision to host the development in Kenya comes hot at the heels of KTB’s award as Africa’s Leading Tourism Board by WTA in December last year.
“World Travel Awards is coming to Kenya on the right time after a successful and peaceful general election under a brand new constitution.
“This has further raised the country’s profile as a secure destination,” said KTB managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.
“That WTA has chosen Kenya for the African region ceremony as portion of the arena grand tour, is an endorsement of the rustic as a popular tourism destination on the earth.”
Kenya is found in East Africa and boasts white sandy beaches bathed by the Indian Ocean in addition to the majestic snow-capped Mount Kenya.
It is increasingly emerging as an Adventure destination offering activities from hot air ballooning, to authentic cultural interactions with the local ethnic communities, in addition to visits to the area renowned Masai Mara, with breath taking safaris and wildebeest migrations, supported by a miscellany of unique superior class accommodation.
WTA president Graham Cooke added: “The number of our hosts is key to the success of our awards programme, and Kenya as a nation has your entire ingredients to rise to the challenge of hosting our Africa Ceremony – a warm, vibrant and progressive nation, brimming with enthusiasm and creativity.
“Tourism is important to Kenya’s economy, contributing 12 per cent to its GDP and sustaining one in ten jobs.
“The future is bright for Kenya, given the nation’s overwhelming natural resources, its unrivalled wildlife experiences and pristine beaches.”
For further details, including entry forms and shutting deadlines for nominations, visit the official website.
The ceremonies are widely considered as possibly the most effective networking opportunities inside the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.
The 2012 WTA Grand Tour ceremonies were attended by greater than 3,000 guests from 92 countries, in addition to media from 194 TV channels and publications.