Ronick Tours and Travel Shines at Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi
In tourism, the most rewarding journeys are not always measured by the destinations visited, but by the experiences amassed, the relationships built, and opportunities created along the way. Participating in the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in Nairobi was more than a business engagement. It was an opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships, promote Uganda’s tourism potential and experience the remarkable hospitality of East Africa.
Fresh from the ATPSA Roadshow in Tanzania, I travelled to Nairobi alongside Julius Oboth, CEO of Tour Operators Academy, for one of the region’s prominent tourism exhibitions. Our arrival was made particularly memorable by the warm reception of Samuel of Rhodes Tours, whose generosity went beyond expectations. Besides ensuring a comfortable stay at Mizpah, Samuel offered his personal cruiser to facilitate their movements around Nairobi. It was a remarkable gesture of friendship and hospitality, demonstrating that the tourism industry thrives as much on genuine human connections as it does on business partnerships.
At the Magical Kenya Travel Expo, Ronick Tours and Travel joined fellow Ugandan tourism operators in showcasing the beauty, diversity and extraordinary experiences of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. The exhibition provided a vibrant platform for networking, exchanging ideas and initiating promising business relationships. The presence of several Tour Operators Academy members added another dimension to the experience, as Remember and Oboth led by example, demonstrating how meaningful professional engagements can be transformed into valuable business opportunities.
What I Learnt at Magical Kenya Travel Expo
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo was more than a networking event; it was an eye-opening experience that broadened my understanding of the future of African tourism. I was particularly impressed by the scale of international participation, structured business matchmaking, emerging digital innovations, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in tourism marketing. I learnt that successful tourism businesses do not simply sell destinations; they create memorable experiences, understand changing traveller expectations and build strategic partnerships that translate into real business.
The exhibition also reinforced the importance of regional collaboration, where East Africa can be marketed as one connected tourism destination rather than competing countries. My greatest takeaway was that Uganda has an extraordinary tourism product, but we must become more innovative, intentional, and competitive in how we package and market it. I left Nairobi inspired, with new ideas, valuable connections and a renewed conviction that the future of African tourism belongs to those willing to learn, adapt and collaborate.
Beyond the exhibition halls, Nairobi offered its own unforgettable adventures. A visit to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre provided a delightful opportunity to interact with the gentle giants, feed them and capture memorable selfies. Yet perhaps the most unexpected adventure was navigating Nairobi’s famously energetic traffic.
As Remember humorously observed, “Driving in Nairobi is not for the weak. You have to be equally rough!” It was an experience that added both excitement and laughter to an already rewarding journey.
From the bustling streets of Tanzania to the vibrant tourism corridors of Nairobi, the experience reinforced an important message: Africa’s tourism industry grows stronger when its people collaborate, share opportunities, and build partnerships across borders. For Ronick Tours and Travel, the journey was not simply about attending exhibitions, but about expanding horizons, nurturing friendships and creating connections that could shape future business opportunities.
The exhibition may have ended, but the relationships established, lessons learned, and opportunities discovered will continue to shape the journey ahead. Because in tourism, every destination tells a story, but it is the people we meet who make that story unforgettable.
Derick Remember
CEO & Founder, Ronick Tours and Travel
Board Member, Tour Operators Academy
