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.
