Tourism Exhibition Set for Next Month

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

12 May 2011

THE annual Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair is scheduled to take place from June 3 to 5 in Arusha.

The event which is so far the only such exposition taking place in East and Central African region will be graced by the Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda.

“A total of 265 exhibitors are expected to take part in this year’s fair along with 7,500 regional and international visitors” says, Tanzania Associations of Tour Operators (TATO), Executive Secretary, Mr Mustapha Akuunay.

Highlighting the tentative programme, Mr Akuunay said the KTTF first day will be exclusive for the travel trade, while the second day will be open for a general public with the last day earmarked for trade visitors and travel writers.

The KTTF tourism fair, the second, only after the ‘Indaba in Durban, South Africa’, features an extensive gathering of exhibitors from the travel and tourism industry and attracts nearly 250 visitors every year.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Sustainable Partnership”, reflecting the major goals of the fair, which are to raise the regional profile by promoting East African tourism to the global marketplace.

Other objectives are to bring together all key industry stakeholders in East Africa in one place, at one time. The fair is also aimed at creating opportunities for international visitors and overseas tour agents to meet and network with members of the EA tourism industry.

“KTTF brings new destinations, facilities and products to the attention of overseas tour agents, facilitate opportunities for overseas tour agents to visit the national parks and properties” Mr Akuunay explained.

For the past eight years, the event has generated direct spending in local economy, created direct and indirect employment by assisting development of small and medium enterprises, built alliances with neighbouring EA countries and brought together key tourism stakeholders through combined efforts to promote regional tourism.

Total exhibitors’ space has been increased this year to a total of nearly 300 and two stands with participant businesses representing Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

The show will draw participants from several Asian, European and the US. In Africa, the exhibitors will come from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, South Africa, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, DRC Congo and the host Tanzania.

The Karibu fair in Swahili, meaning ‘welcome’ travel show is operating under the umbrella of Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry, the state-run-marketing board, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO).

AllAfrica – All the Time