Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of Emirates Airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) to strengthen outbound tourism from Kenya to Dubai and destinations across the Emirates global network.
The partnership brings together Emirates Holidays’ portfolio of destinations, experiences and holiday packages with KATA’s network of more than 300 travel agencies across Kenya. The collaboration is expected to give travel professionals greater access to destination information, product training and promotional opportunities, enabling them to offer a wider range of travel options to customers.
Joint marketing and trade initiatives planned
Under the MoU, Emirates Holidays and KATA will explore joint marketing and promotional campaigns, trade webinars and participation in industry events, including the 2026 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The two organisations will also work on developing targeted packages and special offers for KATA member agencies. The initiative is intended to provide travel agents with better access to Emirates Holidays’ products and the tools needed to promote and sell holiday packages more effectively.
The partnership will place particular emphasis on Dubai as a leisure destination while also promoting destinations available through the Emirates Holidays network. These include Bali, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, Greece, Finland, Chile, Jamaica and Australia, among others.
MoU signed in Nairobi
The MoU was signed at the Emirates Travel Store in Nairobi by Maitha Albutehi, Business Development Manager for Emirates Holidays – Africa Markets, and Dr Joseph Kithitu, Chairman of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents. The signing ceremony was attended by Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager in Kenya, and Nafisa Salim, Sales Manager Kenya at Emirates.
Commenting on the agreement, Leloup said the partnership reflects Emirates’ commitment to developing long-term relationships with the Kenyan travel trade. “Following the launch of Emirates’ third daily Nairobi service in July, we are now focused on leveraging this enhanced connectivity to stimulate leisure travel and unlock new growth opportunities,” he said. He added that working with KATA’s extensive travel agency network would help increase awareness of Emirates Holidays, strengthen travel-agent capabilities and deliver greater value to travellers across Kenya.
KATA seeks to strengthen travel-agent role
Dr Joseph Kithitu said the MoU represents a strategic step toward strengthening the role of Kenyan travel agents in the country’s growing outbound travel market. He noted that changing traveller preferences and increasing demand for diverse destinations and experiences require travel agents to expand their product offerings and capabilities. According to Kithitu, the partnership with Emirates Holidays will strengthen the connection between Kenyan travel agents and a global travel ecosystem, creating opportunities for KATA members to diversify their offerings, expand their reach and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Emirates expands focus on African travel market
The agreement forms part of Emirates Holidays’ broader strategy to strengthen its presence in key African markets through partnerships with travel industry stakeholders. Through closer cooperation with travel agents, the company aims to increase awareness of its holiday products, strengthen distribution and support additional bookings and passenger growth across its air and land-based offerings.
Emirates Holidays provides holiday packages for travellers from Kenya, including hotel stays, attractions and Emirates flights. Its offerings range from island holidays and family getaways to city breaks and customised travel experiences. The company also offers bespoke travel packages to Kenya for international visitors, supporting inbound tourism to the country’s wildlife destinations, coastline and cultural attractions.
Emirates strengthens Nairobi connectivity
Emirates began operations to Nairobi in 1995 and has progressively expanded its services over the past 31 years. The airline currently operates 21 weekly flights between Nairobi and Dubai, strengthening Kenya’s connectivity with destinations across its global network. The airline said its services provide travellers with access to a broad international network, while Emirates remains the only airline serving Nairobi with private, enclosed First Class cabins.
