Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca MianoThe Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has directed KICC to play the leading role in promoting Kenya as a top destination for business tourism.
Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano noted that KICC remains the cornerstone of Kenya’s business tourism sector, also known as Meetings, Incentives Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E).
She pointed out that the government had instructed KICC to engage all the relevant stakeholders to review the national MICE strategy.
Speaking during a validation workshop of the strategy, the CS said MICE is a key contributor to the country’s economic growth, cultural exchange, and innovation.
“We acknowledge the significant impact the MICE sector has to the economy and not only in the increased foreign exchange earnings, but also in the expansion of knowledge and expertise in the country,” she said.
Miano noted that Kenya recorded 2,394,376 tourist arrivals in 2024, out of which MICE accounted for 27 per cent with a total of 643,595 of the total tourism arrivals.
The figure represented 12.5 per cent increase compared to previou year which accounted for 24 per cent of the total tourist arrivals totaling 599,144.
The CS said MICE industry recorded 37,405 total international delegates arrival in the year 2024 compared to 34,814 the previous year translating to a growth of 7.4 per cent.
“Kenya has therefore demonstrated capacity to host very high-profile events in the past which include, among others, the World Trade Organization Council of ministers (MC10), Fourth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD IV), Sixth Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development TICAD VI, the SKAL conference,” the CS said.
She note that in the recent past also, Kenya hosted other
high-profile events such as the Annual Meeting for the AFDB group Board of
Directors, IDA for Africa Heads of State Summit, Extra Requirement for Africa
Fertiliser, Soil summit, 2024 United Nation Civil Society conferences, 41st
IASP World Conference on Science Park and Areas of Innovation (Konza Technopolis)
and the 8th Global off-Grid solar Forum and Expo (GOGLA).
Miano added that the growth of the MICE industry in Kenya is fueled by the country’s strategic position as a regional hub and the availability of suitable MICE facilities.