The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) located in Nairobi has emerged as the best business travel destination in Africa.
KICC was ranked the best in the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2023 held in Dubai. It has won the coveted award five years in a row.
The centre beat other destinations in five other countries including Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Rwanda, and Nigeria.
During the award ceremony, WTA founder Graham Cooke lauded all the winners across the continent for their exemplary contributions to the travel industry.
"Our winners represent stellar examples of tourism excellence and I congratulate each and everyone for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights," he stated.
The international convention centre underwent renovations to upgrade its status in East Africa and globally and attract more business tourists.
According to the acting CEO Patricia Ondeng, the revamp was also meant to modernise it and improve its aesthetic value to make it attractive to conference organisers and delegates globally.
In September KICC hosted the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023 which attracted dozens of Heads of State and dignitaries from international countries.
Other notable events hosted at the KICC include the World Bank Conference in 1973, the Inter-parliamentary Union summit in 2008, 8th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
"The Kenyatta International Convention Centre is an icon and landmark for Kenya. KICC boasts of being the leading facility in the meetings industry in East Africa," reads part of its website.
The state-owned enterprise was first opened in 1973 and the revamp was the first for over five decades.
Besides conferences, KICC is suitable for music concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural shows among other activities that boost the country's economy.
Some of the venues at the building include Tsavo, the amphitheater, Aberdare and Lenana halls, Shimba Hills, the VIP lounge, the courtyard, and the lawn.
It is strategically located at the center of Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) offering business tourists and other visitors easy access to hotels and other essential amenities.
