Lessons from Magical Kenya Tourism Expo

Oct 28, 2016

Considering it is still in its infant stages, Uganda's expo is in no position to make miracles overnight

Exhibitors exploring Nairobi National Park after business at the Magical Kenya Expo. Photo by Solomon Oleny

Last year, Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, Uganda's flagship tourism trade fair started out very miserably; attracting mostly Ugandan Politicians as opposed to International Tourist wholesalers.

Like Pearl of Africa expo, Kenya's flagship tourism expo also started out on a low note six years back.

However, it (Magical Kenya) has defied odds and grown into one of the three dominant annual-tourism-trade fairs on the continent.

Few days back, its sixth edition had attracted 140 hosted buyers representing over 35 countries.

Having attended the last two editions of the show, I examine what can be done to help Uganda's expo can rise up the ladder.

Quality of commerce it attracts

Magical Kenya hosts overseas source markets bringing together, travel agents, tour operators and hoteliers. Most of these are from East Africa's key source markets in Europe, Asia, Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

It also attracts destination managers. For instance, this year's edition attracted over to 10 tourism boards from within and outside Africa.

This offers a unique opportunity for the tourism business operators to meet their clients, network, and market, and discuss business.

 Forward-thinking

Considering it is still in its infant stages, Uganda's expo is in no position to make miracles overnight. However, it can laisse with bodies promoting East Africa as a single destination to attract such travel agents, tour operators and destination.

ntreprenuers attending a seminar that focused on how to utilize digitalization to promote their enterprises during the agical enya expo hoto by olomon leny Entreprenuers attending a seminar that focused on how to utilize digitalization to promote their enterprises during the Magical Kenya expo. Photo by Solomon Oleny

 

On such is the East African Tourism platform. Through such partnerships, it can achieve so much with very little resources.

Timing

Magical Kenya expo hosts its expo in October, one of the months in the low peak tourism season. The big catch here is that at this time of the year, rates of hospitality facilities and services like hoteling and flights are very affordable due to the low demand.

 

This plays a pivotal role in attracting exhibitors, buyers and sellers to the event, especially at this time when everyone is striving at cutting costs due to global recession. 

Forward-thinking  

Rather than host its expo in November, a high peak season, Uganda can reschedule its expo to a more favourable time of the year. For instance, the months between February to April would be ideal as it is a low tourism season. The big leverage here is that very few African countries host their expos around this time. This would give Uganda's expo a competitive advantage. Also, it would be of great help if the Government gave the revival of the National Airline more priority.   

Introduce Empowering forums

Magical Kenya organizes series of seminars through which upcoming entrepreneurs can be equipped with life changing knowledge and skills. These seminars cover topical issues within the industry. 

lanes getting serviced at omo enyatta irport upon dropping visitors into enya he irport has been positioned as a regional aviation hub making it easy for many to attend the agical enya expo hoto by olomon leny Planes getting serviced at Jomo Kenyatta Airport upon dropping visitors into Kenya. The Airport has been positioned as a regional aviation hub, making it easy for many to attend the Magical Kenya expo. Photo by Solomon Oleny

 

The sessions are designed to profit one's business with information that empowers them to market their companies effectively and profitably.

Forward-thinking 

Rather than organize an expo that stops at exhibiting Uganda's tourism attractions, Uganda Tourism Board could also introduce empowering sessions. The type where people who have succeeded in the tourism industry share their experiences with upcoming entrepreneurs.

This would go a long way in facilitating the productive exploitation of the sector.

Promote destination Kampala

A long day's work deserves a refreshing break. Short of that, one is bound to breakdown. Nairobi, the host city of Magical Kenya surely knows how to make up for this. The city is light with an array of attractions, experiences and events.

At these places, one can catch some fresh air after a tiring business day.

There's something for every wallet and taste regardless of whether they are nature enthusiasts or folks in quest for contemporary pleasures.

The city has about four remote wildlife parks where one can find Africa's most sought after wildlife namely lions, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and leopards. It also boasts of an arena where one gets to know the A-Z after the tallest land mammals, giraffes.

If they please, they can feed, pet, pat or even kiss them. On the other hand, Nairobi's nightlife is intoxicating. Day in day out, there are concerts and mini-festivals especially in October, the same month Magical Kenya is held.

Forward-thinking 

Kampala might not have wildlife sanctuaries, however, it has a couple of lively alternative activities and experiences. Among others, such include the nightlife of the city, city tour, and culinary experiences.

ilbert taho of gandas syanut afaris shares a light moment with models showcasing outh fricas traditional fashion hoto by olomon leny Gilbert Ataho of Uganda's Asyanut Safaris shares a light moment with models showcasing South Africa's traditional fashion. Photo by Solomon Oleny

 

The only missing element is aggressive marketing. Giving such products increased visibility both locally and internationally would make Uganda's expo an upper hand in attracting foreign tourists. 

Striking a balance in organization

One can only do business with someone they can trust. As widely known, Trust is a virtue created by spending time with somebody and getting to know them better. On top of having official business settings where buyers, sellers and media can interact, Magical Kenya usually organizes casual events where its participants can bond.

This arrangement lays a solid foundation upon which permanent business infrastructures and exchanges can be made. Simply put, it facilitates networking, business expansion and marketing prospects as one meets and interacts with exhibitors.

Forward-thinking 

No words needed, Pearl of Africa Tourism expo could follow the same Path.

Restoration of peace in Kampala

Four years back, Nairobi was better known for being one of the most unsafe cities in Africa to visit. High cases of robbery had overwhelmed its streets. It is partly for this reason that it was nicknamed Nai-robbery, a reputation that turned Kenya into a last resort for most exhibitors and tourists.

For a country that is largely dependent on Tourism for revenue for its sustainability, the pinch was hard to ignore. This prompted the Kenyan Government to tighten the security of its streets and reserves.

With this establishment, life started to return to normal.  Today, most of the public and touristic areas are under the 24hour watch of Intelligence Police.

xhibitors bond at one of the casual meet and drink events that enya ourism oard organizes to facilitate bonding among participants of the expo hoto by olomon leny Exhibitors bond at one of the casual meet and drink events that Kenya Tourism Board organizes to facilitate bonding among participants of the expo. Photo by Solomon Oleny

 

This creates a reassuring environment for business, a good reason as to why Magical Kenya is given priority by over 300 tourism enthusiasts annually. 

Forward-thinking 

By addressing security issues that make visiting Kampala risky, the Government would increase Kampala's ratings on Travel Advisories.

One such issue is unending broad day robbery by Kifesi theft club. Such a concern can partly be solved by increasing the number of Tourism Police personnel's deployed in the city.

Seeing the force (Tourism Police) is currently under populated with less than 200 officers in the city, priority can be given to touristic areas for starters. Such include hotels, theatres, craft villages and entertainment hubs among others.

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