Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
KENYA TOURIST BOARD HOSTS TRAVEL MART IN U.S. The Kenya Tourist Board hosted a Kenya Travel Mart in Los Angeles and New York City recently to introduce the destina- tion’s flourishing tourist offerings to the U.S. travel trade. In 2009 alone, Kenya’s American visitors increased by 36%. The U.S. is the second largest inbound market to Kenya and spends over $250,000,000 there annually. With a new international cam- paign underway and new offices in Los Angeles and New York, the Kenya Tourist Board is aiming to continue driving U.S. tourists to Kenya, while seeking to raise awareness on responsi- ble tourism. With a host of activities, stunning wildlife, and significant cul- tural heritage, Kenya has a colorful palette of exciting and adventurous tourism opportunities. The Kenya Travel Mart fea- tured a series of exclusive bicoastal events where U.S. travel trade were greeted with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with expert Kenyan tour opera- tors, hoteliers, and game park representatives. These events were design-ed to focus on Kenya’s appeal as a prime tourist destination. Notable speakers were enlisted for certain seg- ments of the travel mart including Dr. M. Sanjayan, lead scientist for one of the largest conservation organi- zations in the world, The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Sanja-yan has a long history and affinity for Kenya and has been traveling there for the past 20 years. Today, Kenya is at the heart of The Nature Conservancy’s recently launched ‘Africa Prog-ram’ and is expected to receive the lions’ share of their conservation in-vest- ments in Africa. Dr. Sanjayan has received extensive media cover- 52 age for his work, which focuses on how conservation can be linked to sustainable poverty alleviation efforts and how ecosystem services, if managed, can benefit both humans and wildlife. Other featured guest speakers included social media guru, Jeff Adelson-Yan from Levelwing Media, and travel industry experts, Keith Baron from Cragmont Baron Group and Karryn Christopher from Signature Travel Network. About the Kenya Tourist Board: The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) is an organization repre- senting Kenya’s public and private tourism sectors. The KTB is charged with the responsibility of marketing and promoting Kenya as a preferred tourist destination internationally, while encouraging development of Kenya’s domestic tourist market. The KTB fosters quality service and sustained excellence of tourist facili- ties and amenities. In addi- tion, the KTB works with national and regional authorities to ensure pro- tection of the environment and wildlife, and also works closely with various relevant organizations to promote quality of service and excellence. The Board members are representa- tives of Kenya’s various tourism organizations, inc- luding Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Information, Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Kenya Associ- ation of Travel Agents, Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Cater- ers, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association, and Kenya Airways. The KTB is headquartered in Nair- obi and has U.S. offices in Los Angeles and New York. For more informa- tion, visit www.Magical- Kenya.com. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com