The meetings virus has reached Kenya

For the first time in African history the meetings virus seems to be spreading around in pandemic proportions. Like many other South African and East African countries, Kenya has proven that it is capable of running a successful tourism industry (and they do know a thing or two about running). Thanks to the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, MICE is already beyond the starting blocks.

Marcel A.M. Vissers reports

Stability is invariably a condition for success

Stable African countries stand a better chance of being successful in the meetings industry than others. Kenya suffered considerably from the insurgency and terrorism and is still dealing with the consequences, especially in Mombasa. However, this does not mean that everything has come to a standstill. On the contrary. Last year the first edition of the Africa Associations Congress took place in Nairobi.

The delegates were unanimous: it was a major success. This year the event will return to Nairobi on November 8-9. This will considerably boost the meetings industry in the country. If only because it will demonstrate to the government how important it is, even though preparations to launch a convention bureau are also urgently required.

For the very first time Kenya’s Economic Blueprint Vision 2030 has identified MICE as a niche product, one of the priority sectors bound to drive the country’s economy into the next phase of growth. And needless to say there are high hopes regarding the launch of MICE in the resort cities of Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret,

Save the date!
The Africa Associations Congress
8-9 November 2016
Kenyatta International Conference Centre
Nairobi - Kenya

Mombasa stands in the spotlight

For many readers Mombasa will bring back nostalgic memories of time spent in this well-known port city on the shores of the Indian Ocean. A city of salt and of spice, of dreams and of battles, of poetry, of seafaring stories and of wave upon wave of traders from faraway lands. Unfortunately, today these memories are beginning to fade. Though holidaymakers may have deserted the long stretches of white sandy beaches today they are steadily being replaced by convention delegates.

Mombasa inherited a string of excellent hotels from its tourism heyday. As many of them have superb conference facilities, Mombasa’s conversion to a hotel conference city came about seamlessly. The Whitesands and Nyali hotels are but a few of the many fine examples. The Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa, located on one of the longest beaches protected by the Mombasa Marine Park, offers excellent some excellent space. There are also two Nyali Beach hotels with great meeting infrastructure. The iconic Nyali International Beach Hotel & Spa has a unique history and social significance, combining timeless grandeur with a new and contemporary spirit.

And if on top of that you feel the need to leave your Mombasa conference quarters to visit something out of the ordinary don’t forget to stroll through the Old Town and explore the historic Fort Jesus.

More info on Kenyatta International Conference Centre at www.kicc.co.ke