Kenya host of World Travel Awards 2012, september the 26th

By Kenya Travel

Kenya is hosting this year’s ‘World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean’, also known as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry ‘. It is the first time for Kenya to host this important event. Kenya was chosen because of it’s world class tourist attractions.

During the World Travel Awards (WTA), the best travel destinations of 2012 will be put on the spotlight.

All major players in the African travel industry are expected to attend the event in Nairobi.

The location of the WTA ceremony is vital for it’s success, says Graham E. Cooke, president and founder of the World Travel Awards. ‘Nairobi is a progressive and engrossing city full of opportunities. It has all the ingredients to make the WTA a success.’  The WTA organizers underlined the rapid development of the city as one of the main hubs of Africa, for business travelers as well as tourists.

The importance of Kenya’s tourism industry

The tourism industry is vital to Kenya’s economy. According to the latest tourism statistics, the sector earned 73.68 billion Kenyan Shillings in revenue for the last four quarters, and shows an impressive growth that surpasses previous years. The untouched nature, unparalleled collection of wild animals and the white sandy beaches are all ingredients for an unforgettable trip the keeps the tourists coming back. Moreover, there is an increase in airlines that fly to Nairobi, giving the tourism industry a boost.

‘We are pleased with the fact that we can organize the World Travel Awards in Nairobi’, said Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of Bench Events. ’It is very important to us that we host this event, for it accentuates Kenya’s position in the tourism industry’. WTA’s are organized all over the world; the winners qualify for the WTA Grand Final in New Delhi, India, on December 12, 2012.