On 28th May 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Brasilia convened a Virtual Meeting between the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) and the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV National) to explore opportunities for enhanced tourism cooperation between Kenya and Brazil, with a key focus on coordinating Kenya’s participation in the Upcoming ABAV Expo 2026.
The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) which was representated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Suzan Ongalo, is the umbrella body of the private sector in Kenya’s tourism industry, bringing together eight tourism associations to promote sustainable tourism growth, policy advocacy, destination marketing, and industry coordination.
ABAV National which was represented by Ms. Jessica Correa, Sales Manager, is the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies and one of the leading tourism industry organizations in Brazil, representing travel agencies and tourism stakeholders. They are the organizers of ABAV Expo which is Brazil’s premier event for travel agents and the wider tourism trade, held annually with at least 30,000 participants and over 2,000 brands across travel, hospitality, cruises, technology, and related sectors.
The discussions underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral tourism relations and promoting Kenya as a premier tourism destination within the Brazilian market. Particular emphasis was placed on leveraging the 53rd edition of ABAV Expo 2026, scheduled for later in the year, as a platform to showcase Kenya’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, wildlife experiences, and investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
It is envisioned that continued engagements will lead to exploration of opportunities for Kenyan tourism stakeholders to successfully participate in the ABAV EXpo 2026, advance long-term tourism cooperation between Kenya and Brazil in several areas including training, knowledge exchange, and technical collaborations amongst tourism associations and private sector players to enhance destination visibility and market access. Kenya’s unique tourism products, including wildlife safaris, beach tourism, cultural tourism, and conference tourism are areas with strong appeal to the Brazilian market.
