Kenya has won the bid to host the Africa Travel Association (ATA) world congress next year. East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the conference will spur tourism business in the country.

Announcing the news during the 39th ATA Congress in Kampala, Uganda, Ms Kandie said the event will bring together close to 500 delegates from over 20 countries across the globe.

She said the event is among a number of key international conferences that the country has lined up next year, a sign of expected growth in conference tourism. “This is definitely good news for the country as we refocus on Meetings Incentives Conference and Exhibition (MICE) segment that is rapidly growing, especially in Nairobi and other major towns in the country,” she said.

In addition to ATA, Kenya has also won the bid to host SKAL international Congress next year, in Mombasa. Skal is a professional organisation of tourism leaders from around the world and the conference will bring together about 1,500 travel and tourism professionals from around the globe.

“We have also won another bid to host the World Public Relations Forum sometimes next year. All these international events are a show of confidence in the country that continues to leverage on its strategic position as the regional hub in hosting key international forums,” said Ms Kandie.