Africa has its share in conference tourism in the world. With its perfect weather situation, it can hold conferences throughout the year. Facilities for conferencing in Africa is being developed with time and this in mind many first world continents are preferring Africa as a conference destination. South Africa leads in conference tourism in Africa followed by Egypt and Morocco. South Africa’s city of Durban is the number one conference venue in Africa. This is attributed to conference facilities of international standards and back-up services. Aggressive marketing and good weather makes Durban city a leader in this tourism business, followed by Cairo in Egypt and Casablanca in Morocco.
East Africa, being part of Africa has not been left behind in the conference tourism package. With excellent facilities for conferencing, the cities of East Africa are engaged in this business all year round. In Uganda, the development of the new Serena hotel has made a boost in the conferencing package. Uganda can now handle a larger magnitude of visitors for conferencing than any time before. In Tanzania, Arusha houses the East Africa community which takes a number of visitors from all over East Africa community states now numbering five countries. Kenya is not left behind either, with the KICC undertaking a total rehabilitation overhaul of conference facilities, and the UN Complex at Gigiri having international conference facilities, Kenya is the leading conference tourism state in east Africa.
In conference tourism, Kenya is ranked fourth in Africa after South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. This is an improvement from 2004 when it was fifth. This is attributed to conference facilities of international standards and back-up services brought in recently. Revenue from conference tourism is growing due to several factors. These include the rehabilitation of Kenyatta International Conference Centre which has played a crucial role in this business as it has hosted and continue to host many international meetings. With modernization and aggressive marketing, KICC is the nectar that attracts bees to the honey that is Kenya’s tourism. Mombasa, with its good weather and many hotels, is an ideal conference venue since it has the requisite facilities. Leisure lodge and Mombasa beach hotel among others have magnificent conference facilities of international standards.
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