Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, with stakeholders during a press briefing on Skal International World Congress 2018. [Photo/Ministry of Tourism]
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala launched the preparations for hosting of the Skal International World Congress 2018 by the local national chapter of Skal.
In a press conference held at the Ministry's Headquarters Boardroom on TelePosta Towers, Balala said Kenya will be hosting the 79th Skal International World Congress 2018 in Mombasa on October 17 - 28, 2018.
Kenya placed a bid to host the event at the 77th Skal International World Congress 2016 in Monaco on October 31, 2016, which was ratified at the 78th Skal International World Congress in Hyderabad India on October 7, 2017.
The Congress will be held in an exotic resort city of Mombasa, which is country's second-largest city in the country and has exotic and scenic attractions; tropical ambiance; unspoiled white-sand beaches, rich cultural and historical background.
The Congress provides a unique opportunity for its members – Skalleagues - to meet other members from around the world in Kenya as well as tour and experience special features and unique tourism products offered by the Kenya Tourism industry. It provides a unique chance for Kenya to showcase her quality tourism experience.
Kenya has lately experienced a thriving MICE tourism by hosting prestigious global events like Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Global Partnership on Economic Development Conference (GPEDC) in 2016 among others.
The meetings, Conferences, and Exhibitions positioned Kenya as an important player in the conference tourism.
According to Balala, the government, through its National Tourism Strategy Blueprint (NTSB) 2030, has embarked on promoting tourism through; Tourism Product development and innovation; Marketing Kenya Tourism products and Infrastructure development.
The blueprint prioritizes diversification of tourism products, including culture and heritage tourism, conference tourism, among others.
This event presents a great opportunity to showcase these products.
He also mentioned that the government has plans to invest in the conference tourism, through establishment of Mombasa and Kisumu Conventions Centers. This is in line with the government strategy to diversify the conference tourism and extend the MICE industry into other cities in the country.
Kenya has experienced steady growth in the Tourism sector averaging to 10.7 % between January and September 2017. The stability experienced over years has lead Kenya to be destined host of several international events among the 64TH World Ploughing day scheduled for 30th November 2017 to 2nd December 2017 in Egerton University, Nakuru and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2018, scheduled for October 2018.
Skal Congress provides an opportunity to the tourism industry players in Kenya to showcase their products and rightful image of the Kenya as a destination to the participants and the world at large. The industry players are expected to maximize on this Congress by providing high-level services and be at the forefront to make the Congress a success.
It also provides an opportunity to the Mombasa County government to promote Mombasa City as a MICE hub in the world.
In attendance at the presser were Ministry's Principal Secretary Fatuma Hirsi Mohamed, Kenya Tourism Board CEO Dr Betty Radier, Skal Congress Chairman 2018 and VP National and past President Mehboob Harunani, Skal International Councilor and past PresidentJulie Dabaly Scott.