Nairobi: The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has partnered with international luxury lifestyle and culture brand, Tatler to profile and recognize hotels and restaurants setting the standard for hospitality excellence across Africa. The move extends Kenya’s reach into the luxury travel segment and strengthens its standing among the world’s most sought-after high-end destinations.
According to Kenya News Agency, the three-year partnership will see Kenya host the inaugural Tatler Best Africa on 8 October 2026, celebrating leading hospitality facilities across the continent. The partnership will also position Kenya across the international luxury travel ecosystem through Tatler’s platforms and events. This initiative will spotlight Kenya’s diverse premium tourism offering, spanning safari, coast, conservation, culture, gastronomy, wellness, fashion, art, and sports tourism, while creating opportunities to promote Kenya’s MICE and tourism investment potential.
Principal Secretary for Tourism, Prof. Julius Bitok, emphasized that the partnership will help profile Kenya’s hospitality standards while supporting the country’s ambition to attract more high-value international events and visitors. Prof. Bitok stated the importance of recognition, standards, and the quality of the visitor experience in competing for a greater share of the international tourism market. He noted that Tatler Best Africa provides a platform to showcase Kenya’s hospitality excellence to discerning travelers, travel advisors, investors, and influential audiences across Africa, Asia, and the wider international market.
He further mentioned that the Ministry is working with stakeholders to identify and attract more high-value international events to Kenya, with MICE being a key growth area. In 2025, Kenya attracted over 736,000 delegates and generated more than Ksh 11 billion in direct revenue, significantly contributing to the tourism and hospitality industry. Events like Tatler Best Africa demonstrate Kenya’s growing capacity to host high-value international platforms, bringing influential global audiences to the country and creating opportunities across the wider tourism and hospitality value chain.
The partnership will include training and knowledge-sharing programs focused on luxury service standards, destination storytelling, international market expectations, and digital communications. Additional Tatler-led forums, salons, dinners, and cultural experiences will be part of the collaboration. Tatler Africa Managing Director, Bonita Mutoni, highlighted Kenya’s strong tourism and hospitality proposition as a natural partner for the launch of Tatler Best Africa. She expressed pride in partnering with Kenya Tourism Board to bring Tatler’s network of travelers, investors, and tastemakers to Kenya.
Honourees will be selected by a panel of hospitality leaders, chefs, travel specialists, and cultural figures drawn from across Africa. Through the partnership, Tatler Africa will connect KTB with international travel trade partners, including luxury platforms and exhibitions such as ILTM Cannes, Arabian Travel Market, and PURE Life Experiences, as well as travel advisors, tour operators, and hospitality groups. Tatler’s presence across eleven Asian markets will provide an additional avenue for Kenya to diversify its source markets and grow international visitor numbers.
KTB Chief Executive Officer, June Chepkemei, stated that the partnership strengthens the board’s role in connecting Kenyan tourism businesses with international markets. Chepkemei emphasized the opportunity to showcase the best of Kenya, celebrate excellence within the tourism sector, and position the destination within the international luxury travel ecosystem.
The inaugural Tatler Best Africa will coincide with the 16th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), running from 6-8 October 2026. The event will bring together international travel trade, hosted buyers, hospitality players, and influential industry audiences, providing an additional platform to showcase Kenya’s tourism products, hospitality excellence, and capacity to host high-value international events.
