Recently Renovated Mount Meru Hotel Hosts Kick-Off Reception

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Tanzania’s 12th Annual Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair in Arusha

The recently renovated five -star Mount Meru Hotel hosted the kick-off cocktail reception for Tanzania’s 12th annual Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair in Arusha. Karibu, which took place from June 3rd to the 5th, is the largest travel industry event in East Africa. The travel fair has become “the place to meet” for the region’s travel industry partners from around the world. It has been boosting Tanzania tourism for the last 12 years and this year was no exception. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Honorable Lazaro Nyalandu was the guest of honor at the Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair official cocktail party. More than 450 people attended and enjoyed live food stations, delectable canapés and local music by Aqua Sounds. This was the first opportunity that the Mount Meru Hotel was able to showcase its new, lavish and luxurious look, including the sculptured gardens, to the travel industry.
Karibu Fair organizers noted a record turn out this year. “Some 265 exhibitors took part in this year’s fair along with 7,500 regional and international visitors,” said Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair Coordinator, Sammy Diah.

“This year, the Karibu Fair focused attention firmly on marketing East Africa as a single tourist destination, an initiative that, along with others, puts the show in an enviable, and potentially enormously lucrative position,” Diah noted. The major objective of the fair is to raise the regional profile by promoting East African tourism to the global market and to bring all key industry players in East Africa together in one place, at one time.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu said: “We are proud as a government, for this industry, that we must do everything to support, we must do everything to help, we must do everything to uplift and I am told just like right here, as we stand in this fine and beautiful Hotel of Mount Meru, the Hotel that is definitely bringing the old glory of Arusha back home.”

Dr. Aloyce K. Nzuki, TTB’s Managing Director, noted “Tanzania is very proud that the Karibu Fair, which started as a modest initiative, has evolved into a major travel industry showcase for all the East African destinations.“

Sangeev Halooman, resident Manager of Mount Meru Hotel, accepted the “Best Luxury Hotel in Tanzania” Award from Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. Halooman said, “The Mount Meru Hotel was honored to achieve such an award and continues to work hard provide unique hospitality experience for guests.”

The Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair continues to grow every year and exhibitors and visitors alike are excited about the prospect of the new permanent venue near Kisongo in Arusha for the East Africa’s leading travel and tourism industry show. The 2012 Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair is scheduled for June 1-3, 2012.

Daniel Fountain / 16.06.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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