Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Africa Hotels & Travel Expo is the premier international trade exhibition dedicated to the hospitality, tourism, travel, aviation, leisure, and hotel investment industries in Eastern Africa.
Co-located with the Kenya Food & Drink Festival, Africa Beauty Show, and Africa Health & Wellness Expo, this event creates a unique platform that brings together the entire hospitality and tourism value chains under one roof.
Africa Hotels & Travel Expo takes place in Nairobi, Kenya.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: The Africa Hotels & Travel Expo takes place from December 3-5, 2026, at Impala Club, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 2Scale and Focus: This premier expo showcases the hospitality, tourism, travel, and aviation sectors in Eastern Africa.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by FW Brands MEA, a leader in the travel and hospitality industry.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include hotel owners, travel agencies, and government tourism authorities.
- 5Entry: Registration is available online; confirm details on the official website.
Why visit
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, discover innovative products and services, and explore investment opportunities in the hospitality and travel sectors. The expo also features interactive showcases, live demonstrations, and seminars on the latest trends in tourism and hospitality.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors can connect directly with thousands of consumers and industry buyers, showcase their products and services, and gain visibility in the rapidly growing hospitality and travel markets. This premier expo showcases the hospitality, tourism, travel, and aviation sectors in Eastern Africa. The event is organised by FW Brands MEA, a leader in the travel and hospitality industry. Attendees include hotel owners, travel agencies,.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers
Tour operators and travel agents
Hospitality and accommodation providers
Airlines and transport companies
National and county tourism boards
Travel media and influencers
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Hotel brands and chains
Airlines and travel companies
Food and beverage suppliers
Hospitality technology providers
Tourism boards and destination marketers
Catering and hospitality service providers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Hotels, resorts, and lodges
Airlines and transport services
Hospitality technology solutions
Catering and foodservice supplies
Financial services and travel payments
Wellness and lifestyle experiences
Location & Facilities
Venue
Impala Club
Ngong' Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Facilities
Parking
Impala Club, Ngong' Road in Nairobi typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Impala Club, Ngong' Road in Nairobi typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Impala Club, Ngong' Road for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Who runs the show
Organisers
the publishers of the most influential magazine and website for the travel and hospitality
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Nairobi, Kenya
Why it matters
On 2026-12-03 to 2026-12-05, Africa Hotels & Travel Expo in Nairobi covering Hotels, resorts, and lodges, Airlines and transport services, Hospitality technology solutions, Catering and foodservice gives food buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
The Swan Place
midscale
Near Impala Club, NairobiRated 4.4; about 190 m from the venue, the shortest walk among the shortlisted properties. Breakfast is chargeable; free Wi-Fi, free parking, room service, full-service laundry, accessible and smoke-free property. Rate is an approximate December 2026 night band, confirm live availability.
Palm Valley Guest House
economy
Near Impala Club, Nairobi4-star guest house, rated 4.2; about 800 m from the venue. Wi-Fi, free parking and kid-friendly; flagged as a great price option in the Google Travel listing of 125 Nairobi results. Approximate December 2026 night band.
Koyaro Centre
midscale
Near Impala Club, NairobiRated 4.4; about 1.3 km from the venue. Free Wi-Fi, free parking, restaurant and airport shuttle, which suits arrivals at NBO. Approximate December 2026 night band.
Mad Vervet Nairobi backpackers Hostel
budget
Near Impala Club, NairobiHostel listed about 1.7 km from the venue with a 16% discount versus its usual rate at capture time. Best fit for a single traveller or student delegate; approximate December 2026 night band, confirm current promotion.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Airport taxi / ride-hailing
Estimated costApprox. KES 2,500-4,500 one way per vehicle
Best forJomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Impala Club, Ngong' Road
Route captured from NBO to Impala Club. Agree the fare before departure or accept the app quote at arrivals; add a surcharge in heavy traffic. Confirm live fares.
Ride-hailing short hop
Estimated costApprox. KES 300-800 per trip
Best forHotels near the venue (The Swan Place, Deerpark Luxury Stays, Palm Valley Guest House) to Impala Club
The practical option for the 200 m to 1.7 km distances on show mornings, especially with a laptop bag or samples. Bolt and Uber both quote before you accept.
Matatu (minibus)
Estimated costApprox. KES 50-100 per single journey
Best forLocal minibus routes along the arterial roads past the venue district
Cheapest city transport, but routes and stages are not signposted for visitors and vehicles fill quickly at peak times. Many business travellers use ride-hailing instead.
County parking (self-drive)
Estimated costApprox. KES 200-300 per day for a private car
Best forNairobi County curbside parking near the venue district
Nairobi County parking is payable via USSD *647# or the NairobiPay portal; private and venue car parks are managed separately and usually charge more. Display or activate payment before leaving the vehicle.
Hotel or booked private transfer
Estimated costApprox. KES 3,000-6,000 per vehicle
Best forNBO arrivals to Impala Club via a hotel car or booked operator
Pre-booked transfers are worth it for early-morning arrivals or teams carrying exhibition material, because the driver waits in arrivals. Confirm if the price is per vehicle or per person.
Ride-hailing to Nairobi CBD
Estimated costApprox. KES 500-1,200 per trip
Best forImpala Club to Nairobi central business district (banks, business meetings)
Useful for side meetings outside expo hours; the range reflects peak versus off-peak demand pricing. Confirm live in-app fares and avoid unscheduled street taxis after dark.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from WIL to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forWilson Airport (WIL) to Impala Club, Ngong' Road
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa not required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
Weather
December 2026 falls at the tail of Kenya's short rains, and Nairobi's highland setting at roughly 1,800 m keeps days mild rather than tropical: expect afternoons around 22-27 C and nights near 12-15 C, with a realistic chance of afternoon showers rather than constant rain. Plan a light waterproof layer, an umbrella and one warm layer for cool evenings and air-conditioned halls. This is a climatological pattern, not a forecast, so check the week-of forecast before flying into NBO.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Plan mobile data before arrival in Nairobi: buy a local Kenyan SIM or activate roaming at the airport, and confirm Wi-Fi availability with your hotel, since the venue connectivity details were not captured.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language and greetings
English and Swahili are both official and English is standard in business settings. A handshake and a short greeting such as 'Habari' before getting to the agenda is normal; launching straight into a pitch can feel abrupt.
Dress and punctuality
Business dress on expo days is smart-casual to formal, with a jacket often useful for cool mornings and evening events. Meeting times are usually respected, but build in slack for Nairobi traffic when travelling to Impala Club.
Payments and cash
M-Pesa mobile money is used almost everywhere, cards work at hotels and larger venues, and small shilling notes help with parking attendants, matatu fares and tips. Keep some cash even if your phone wallet is not set up.
Tipping and courtesy
Around 10 percent at restaurants and small amounts for porters and parking attendants are customary; ride-hailing tips are optional. Ask before photographing people, private clubs or security areas.
Power and connectivity
Kenya runs at 240 V with UK-type G three-pin sockets, so bring an adapter for laptops and phones. Mobile data is widely available and useful as a backup for ride-hailing and M-Pesa.
Health and security awareness
Nairobi's altitude and dry-season dust can affect first-time visitors; consult a travel health clinic about routine vaccinations and malaria advice before departing. Keep valuables out of view in traffic, use app-based transport at night and follow organiser guidance around the venue.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Example round-trip economy fares for travel around 3-7 December 2026: London LHR to Nairobi NBO from about KES 97,820 (Etihad, 13 hr 25 min via Abu Dhabi) up to about KES 119,338 (Kenya Airways/Virgin Atlantic, 8 hr 35 min nonstop); New York JFK to Nairobi NBO from about KES 106,249 (Turkish Airlines, 22 hr 50 min via Istanbul) up to about KES 136,153 (KLM/Delta, 16 hr 40 min via Amsterdam). Fares are Google Flights samples including taxes and fees for one adult; recheck live prices before booking.
Visa
Kenya requires most foreign travellers, including business visitors, to submit an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) application online before departure; Kenya and East African Partner States passport holders are exempt, and holders of diplomat, service or official passports on official duty, or laissez-passer holders, apply through a separate route.
Estimated cost: USD 30 (official eTA fee cited for 2026 rules; confirm on the portal)
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Submit the eTA before flying: Kenyan authorities state all travellers must supply pre-departure information or risk denied boarding or an arrival penalty. Business travellers should check which activity their entry class permits and whether a Class G permit is required for work beyond the event.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Nairobi; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Impala Club: Near Impala Club, Nairobi: The Swan Place; Near Impala Club, Nairobi: Palm Valley Guest House; Near Impala Club, Nairobi: Koyaro Centre.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Nairobi; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Nairobi has no metro or light rail network, so public transport means matatu minibuses and buses along the main arterial roads, plus a limited commuter rail service. Fares are low, with matatu journeys typically a few tens of shillings, but stops and routes are not signposted for first-time visitors and vehicles are crowded at peak times. For KTTA Expo, the practical pattern is to stay within walking distance of Impala Club and use Bolt or Uber for other trips, budgeting roughly KES 300-800 for short hops and more at peak demand. Confirm the venue gate and drop-off point with the organiser, and allow extra time between 8-9 am and 5-7 pm when Nairobi traffic slows.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Impala Club; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December 2026
Temperature: Approx. 12-27 C across a typical December day in Nairobi: afternoons near 22-27 C and nights around 12-15 C. The city sits at roughly 1,800 m, so evenings and early mornings feel distinctly cool despite the equatorial location. Treat this as a climatological band and confirm the forecast in the week before travel.
Seasonality: December sits at the tail of Kenya's short rains, which run roughly October to December. In Nairobi this usually means dry, bright mornings with a chance of afternoon or evening showers rather than continuous rain, and moderate humidity around the venue. Pack a compact waterproof layer and plan indoor alternatives for outdoor networking, then check the week-of forecast for the actual pattern during KTTA Expo.
Packing: December falls in Nairobi's short-rains period, so pack a light rain layer and umbrella alongside breathable business wear for daytime meetings. Nairobi sits at high altitude and evenings can be cool; bring a light jacket for outdoor evening events and cultural showcases.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Africa Hotels & Travel Expo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-14
Submit the Kenya eTA at evisa.go.ke and save the approval PDF offline alongside your passport.
T-14
Register for KTTA Expo via kttaexpo.com and keep the confirmation for badge collection at Impala Club.
T-14
Book a room within walking distance of Impala Club, such as The Swan Place, Deerpark Luxury Stays or Palm Valley Guest House, before December demand builds.
T-10
Confirm flights into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and leave a buffer for Nairobi traffic on arrival day.
T-10
Arrange an airport transfer or install a ride-hailing app, and check the official pickup point at NBO arrivals.
T-7
Check the December forecast for Nairobi and pack a light rain layer plus a sweater for cool highland evenings.
T-7
Set up M-Pesa or carry Kenyan shillings for matatu fares, county parking and small purchases.
T-5
Store your eTA, hotel booking and expo confirmation offline, and share your itinerary with your office.
T-3
Confirm the visitor gate and drop-off point at Impala Club with the organiser and plan to arrive early for security screening.
T-1
Charge power banks and pack a UK-type G plug adapter; Kenya runs at 240 V.
T-11
Show days: Carry photo ID with your badge and schedule meetings outside the 8-9 am and 5-7 pm traffic peaks on Nairobi roads.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Impala Club, Ngong' Road
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Africa Hotels & Travel Expo registration concourse
Impala Club, Ngong' Road
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Impala Club, Ngong' Road
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$190.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Africa Hotels & Travel Expo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Africa Hotels & Travel Expo, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Hotels, resorts, and lodges and Airlines and transport services solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Africa Hotels & Travel Expo in Nairobi.
Min. budget
$450.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Hotels, resorts, and lodges and Airlines and transport services products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Nairobi show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- eTA (Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation)
- Kenya's online pre-travel authorisation, submitted at evisa.go.ke before departure for most foreign visitors. Apply before paying for non-refundable flights and carry the approval with the passport you used in the application.
- KES (Kenyan shilling)
- The local currency used for matatu fares, Nairobi County parking, food and small purchases around Impala Club. Cards work at hotels and larger venues, but keep some shillings for transport and tips.
- M-Pesa
- Kenya's dominant mobile-money wallet, accepted by many taxis, kiosks and parking attendants. Business travellers whose home SIM does not support it should budget small cash amounts instead.
- Matatu
- Privately operated minibuses that form the backbone of Nairobi public transport, with low single-journey fares. Routes and stages are rarely signposted for visitors, so many expo attendees use ride-hailing for venue trips.
- NBO (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)
- Nairobi's main international gateway, on the south-eastern side of the city. It is the arrival point assumed for KTTA Expo travel planning; transfer times vary widely with Nairobi traffic, so confirm the journey with your operator.
- Nairobi County parking
- Curbside parking in Nairobi's central area is charged by Nairobi County and paid through the *647# USSD menu or the NairobiPay portal. Private car parks and venue parking bill separately.
- NairobiPay
- Nairobi County's online payment portal for county parking and other county charges, an alternative to the *647# USSD menu.
- Impala Club
- The Nairobi venue hosting KTTA Expo 2026. Confirm the visitor or exhibitor gate, drop-off point and badge-collection desk with the organiser before you arrive, because club venues often run separate access routes.
- Ride-hailing app
- Bolt, Uber and similar apps operate in Nairobi and show the fare before you accept, which removes airport haggling. Confirm the designated pickup point at NBO arrivals and at the Impala Club gate.
- Short rains
- Kenya's secondary rainy season, roughly October to December, which shapes December conditions at the expo. Expect warm mornings with a chance of afternoon showers rather than all-day rain.
- Nairobi highland climate
- The city sits at roughly 1,800 m, so days are mild rather than tropical and evenings are cool even though Nairobi is close to the equator. Pack a layer for evening transfers and air-conditioned halls.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Nairobi travel expo 2026
- tourism events in Nairobi
- Africa Hotels & Travel Expo 2026
- Africa Hotels & Travel Expo Nairobi 2026
- Africa Hotels 2026
- Africa Hotels Nairobi 2026
- Nairobi Kenya
- Hospitality & Travel Expo Nairobi 2026
- Aviation
- Hotel Investment
1 more alternate names hidden
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Sources
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References
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Publishers
0
Date checked
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FW Brands MEA
- event_website
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.