Media hailed for shaping conversations around Kenya's Tourism

Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei. (Courtesy)

Local and international media has been hailed for shaping the growing positive perception of Kenya’s tourism destinations.

In a statement during the welcoming of media personalities from about 12 countries at a Nairobi hotel who are on tour of key tourism sites across the country, Kenya Tourism Board chief executive officer, June Chepkemei, termed the media as the country’s brand ambassadors to prospective visitors and investors.

Her remarks came as the media personalities made a five-day tour of key attractions in the country ahead of 14^th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) to be held from October 2-4 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

The media personalities are drawn from USA, Germany, France, India, China, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Positive narratives are what have shaped destinations to optimize their potential both for travels and businesses. KTB has deliberately invested in media engagement to tell the destination story for both the local and international traveller," Chepkemei stated.

Foreign journalists invited to Magical Kenya Tourism Expo visit the Giraffe Centre. (Photo/Peter Muiruri)

While increasingly partnering with travel journalists to create awareness on local experiences, Chepkemei added the media landscape has changed through the digital era that has enabled everyone to participate in journalism through social media.

Ms. Mackenzie Adele, an editor with Tourism Update, an online publication on travel and tourism and who is touring Kenya for the first time, said strong partnerships between the media and destinations have gone a long way in telling destination stories to the world.

"What Kenya has been doing is great. The media needs information and the untold travel articles on the destination to share with the masses and therefore influencing their interest to travel,” Adele said.

The travel expo has grown into a premier tourism fair in the region and is expected to attract about 3,000 delegates including the travel buyers from more than 30 countries across the globe who will engage local tourism players in business-to-business meetings.

KTB will also expose the international travel practitioners to over 20 itineraries covering tourism destinations across the country for a first-hand experience of what Kenya has to offer.