Kenya is banking on new convention facilities, airport expansion and improved connectivity to grow conference tourism by 60 per cent next year, as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading meetings and events destination in Africa.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei said investments in major convention facilities across the country would increase Kenya's capacity to host international conferences, exhibitions and corporate events.
The planned facilities include Bomas of Kenya, Kisumu Convention Centre and the Temple International Convention Centre at the Coast.
Chepkemei said Bomas of Kenya was expected to accommodate up to 10,000 delegates, while the Kisumu and Mombasa facilities would have capacities of 5,000 and 6,000 delegates respectively.
“With Bomas of Kenya expected to accommodate 10,000 delegates, while the Kisumu and Mombasa convention facilities will accommodate 5,000 and 6,000 delegates respectively, we are confident that the MICE segment will significantly boost our visitor arrivals from next year,” she said.
The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment accounted for 25 per cent of Kenya's total tourist arrivals in 2025, attracting 643,068 visitors, compared with the leisure segment's 1.2 million visitors, representing 46 per cent.
Speaking in London, Chepkemei said the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport would further strengthen the country's ability to attract international events and business travellers.
The airport's passenger-handling capacity is expected to increase from approximately eight million to 20 million, improving connectivity and supporting the growing demand for international travel.
“These developments underscore Kenya's ambition to establish itself as a leading MICE destination in Africa while unlocking new investment opportunities across the wider tourism sector,” she said.
Beyond conference tourism, the government is seeking to attract more private investment into national parks and reserves by offering incentives and developing new visitor experiences.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Chairman Joseph Lagat said the agency was working to make parks and reserves more competitive while encouraging investors to establish accommodation facilities, lodges, camps and other visitor amenities.
Among the incentives are discounts of up to 30 per cent for international organisations, corporates and event planners hosting meetings and conferences in national parks.
KWS is also promoting charter flights and cruise tourism while encouraging multi-park safari packages covering destinations such as Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
The agency is seeking to draw more visitors to lesser-explored destinations, including Meru, Marsabit, Sibiloi, Aberdare, Mwea, Saiwa Swamp, Ruma, Ndere Island and Mount Elgon.
Lagat said expanding tourism beyond established circuits would create investment opportunities and spread economic benefits to communities surrounding protected areas.
Through initiatives such as Safari Kenya Live, in partnership with WildEarth, KWS is also using international digital platforms to showcase destinations such as Ruma, Sibiloi and Marsabit.
New activities, including hiking, birdwatching, balloon safaris and cultural tourism, are expected to broaden the country's tourism offering.
Samburu County is also positioning itself as an emerging tourism and investment destination in Northern Kenya.
County Executive Committee Member for Tourism Raphael Lenayiarra said the county was offering incentives to filmmakers, tour operators, travel agents and organised visitor groups to attract more visitors to Samburu National Reserve.
The incentives include a 50 per cent waiver on applicable park entry fees for targeted categories, against the standard $88 entry fee cited by the county.
Lenayiarra said improved road and air infrastructure was also opening up the region to tourists and investors.
“The Great North Road linking Kenya to Ethiopia is an important development that is improving accessibility to tourism destinations across Northern Kenya and opening up new opportunities for the region,” he said.
The initiatives are part of Kenya's broader strategy to use tourism to attract investment, create jobs and spread economic opportunities beyond traditional tourist destinations.
