East Africa is fast becoming a global conference tourism destination. Facilities for conferencing in the region are being developed and upgraded to offer a first class experience, which has seen many clients make it their preferred destination. East African countries are among the number one conference venues in Africa and across the world. With excellent facilities, the cities are engaged in this business all year round. Conference tourism involves service provision to business travellers attending seminars, workshops, conferences and conventions. Conference tourism is the largest and fastest growing segment of the modern tourism sector. It has a higher financial impact because travellers spend more than their leisure counterparts. Often, their expenses are paid for by the organisations they represent, leaving the tourists with substantial disposable incomes to spend.
In conference tourism for example, Kenya is ranked fourth in Africa after South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. This is an improvement from 2004 when it was fifth. This is attributed to conference facilities of international standards and back-up services recently brought in. Revenue from conference tourism is growing due to several factors. They include the rehabilitation of key conference facilities in the region, which have played a crucial role in this business as it has hosted and continues to host many international meetings. East Africa has a wide variety of beachside resorts as well as state-of-the-art conference facilities. This option is growing in popularity for companies that wish to treat their employees to an escape from the typical inner city business feel. The region is an ideal venue for conferences, workshops and seminars whether for a large or small group of participants. Hotels have state of-the-art ultra-modern conference facilities. This makes this region the perfect destination for major international conferences, travel and events. The region is also an attractive incentive destination for smart global companies seeking to reward their employees in style. More and more companies are seeking new and innovative strategies to increase their revenue, improve customer satisfaction and remain competitive in the global market place.
Aviation in East Africa is expanding exponentially mainly driven by increased business travel and tourism in the region. The region offers something new for conference planners and organisers. Many top class hotels, safari lodges, beach resorts, and even tented bush camps offer world-class facilities. They include halls and private meeting rooms, audio visual and multi-media services and telecommunications. The facilities combined with comfortable surroundings, good accommodation and fine cuisine, mean that professional and effective conferences can be held in the wild. Conference and function rooms feature state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment for meetings including complimentary wired or wireless broadband Internet access; intelligent lighting system at the Island Ballroom; satellite and teleconferencing available upon request; simultaneous translation system available upon request; slide, overhead, LCD and direct projectors; strategically positioned motorised projectors and screens in selected function rooms. In keeping abreast of dynamic conferencing technology hotels have invested heavily in audio visual technology. In addition, they have refurbished conference halls and upgraded them into state-of-the-art conferencing facilities. The facilities are fully equipped and have modem comfortable seats, wall and split air conditioners for perfect cooling and conference speaker systems.
East African countries have a wide range of carefully selected hotels and safari lodges to match your taste, style and budget. The recommended hotels in the region are some of the finest in the world, known for their high standards of service and quality. Most of these hotels are international award winners and demonstrate innovative, eco-friendly designs. Bookings can be done throughout the region are coupled with ever-increasing volume of travellers has given us access to the most competitive rates, yielding savings which we pass on directly to our travellers: East Africa offers something new for conference planners and organisers. Many top class hotels, safari lodges, beach resorts, and even tented bush camps offer world-class facilities. They include halls and private meeting rooms, audio visual and multi-media services and telecommunications. The facilities combined with comfortable surroundings, good accommodation and fine cuisine, mean that professional and effective conferences can be held in the wild.
Many hotels host conferences, retreats, seminars and workshops according to a client’s specifications. The region offers experienced hosts and state-of-the-art conference facilities that cater to the highest level of international business, diplomatic and social gatherings. All of the conference and function rooms feature state-of-the- art audio-visual equipment for meetings, including the following: complimentary wired or wireless broadband Internet access; intelligent lighting system at the Island Ballroom; satellite and teleconferencing available upon request; simultaneous translation system available upon request; slide, overhead, LCD and direct projectors; strategically positioned motorised projectors and screens in selected function rooms.
Culled from The East African.
