Kenya Tourism Board Sign Partnership with Emirates to Boost Inbound Tourism
The agreement, signed at the 2026 Arabian Travel Market, builds on Emirates’ three-decade presence in Nairobi to unlock new opportunities, enhance trade partner engagement, and showcase Kenya’s diverse experiences to the airline’s global network.
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and Emirates airlines have formalized a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration and drive inbound tourism to Kenya. The agreement was signed during the 2026 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which took place from September 14—17, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), underscoring a shared commitment to positioning Kenya as a leading, diverse, and unforgettable destination for travellers worldwide.
The partnership builds on Emirates’ longstanding presence in the region. Nairobi remains one of the airline’s top five busiest gateways in Africa, with significant passenger traffic originating from established markets such as the UK, Europe, and the US.
A Strategic Alliance for Growth
The agreement was signed by Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Centre, and June Chepkemei, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board. The signing took place in the presence of senior government and industry officials, including Ambassador (Professor.) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Tourism, Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Rashid Alardha, Vice President of Commercial Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emirates, and Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager in Kenya.
“Kenya has been an important market for Emirates for over three decades, and our commitment goes much deeper than operations and connections,” said Al Ghaith. “We’ve consistently invested in our presence in the market, working closely with travel trade partners and tourism stakeholders to stimulate inbound travel and contribute positively to the global perception of Kenya. This partnership solidifies that longstanding commitment, enhancing our collaboration with the Kenya Tourism Board and the full, thriving tourism ecosystem across Nairobi and Kenya.”
Chepkemei echoed the sentiment, highlighting the mutual benefits of the alliance. “We are delighted to partner with Emirates to strengthen Kenya’s global tourism profile,” she said. “Emirates’ extensive international network and strong reach in both established and emerging markets will help us build on the growing demand for Kenya and unlock new opportunities to attract more visitors. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to promoting Kenya as a leading destination, while supporting the continued growth of inbound tourism and the many communities that benefit from it.”
Joint Initiatives to Drive Travel
Under the framework of the partnership, Emirates and KTB will explore joint initiatives to promote Kenya across the airline’s global network. The collaboration aims to showcase the breadth of Kenya’s year-round tourism offering, from wildlife safaris and cultural heritage to coastal getaways.
The partners will also work closely to develop programmes for trade partners and tour operators, including incentives, familiarisation trips, and other marketing initiatives designed to educate and excite the industry. These efforts align with the KTB’s bold vision to establish Kenya as the most visited tourism destination in Africa, supported by a calendar of diverse, sustainable, and authentic experiences.
Deepening Roots in the Market
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Emirates in Kenya. Last year, the airline marked 30 years of operations to Nairobi, during which it has cultivated deep-rooted ties with local communities and the travel trade ecosystem.
Earlier this month, Emirates’ tour operating arm, Emirates Holidays, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA). The initiative aims to stimulate outbound travel by equipping over 300 travel agencies with enhanced product and network insight, as well as competitive promotional opportunities.
This new partnership with KTB further cements Emirates’ role not just as a carrier, but as a key stakeholder in Kenya’s tourism economy—a sector that creates thousands of jobs and serves millions of visitors annually.
