Mombasa Strengthens Position as a Leading MICE Destination Following OOC11

Mombasa is gaining renewed prominence as a regional hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) following the hosting of the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11), one of the largest international gatherings ever held in Kenya’s coastal region.

The conference which has attracted an estimated 6,000 delegates from around the world, provided a major boost to the region’s profile as a destination capable of hosting large-scale international events. Industry stakeholders say the event demonstrated Mombasa’s growing infrastructure capacity and could accelerate efforts to attract more business tourism to the coast.

The hosting of OOC11, the first edition of the conference to be held in Africa, is also seen as a milestone in the diversification of the coastal tourism offering. While Mombasa remains known for its beaches, cultural heritage and leisure attractions, tourism players are increasingly targeting the business events market to drive year-round visitor arrivals.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) board member and Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman Victor Shitaka said the event marks a turning point in how the international conference industry views Kenya’s coast.

“The coast has always been regarded as a leisure destination where people come for the beach. However, this conference is concrete proof that Mombasa has the infrastructure, accessibility, and capacity to host world-class international events that generate high-value business tourism,” said Shitaka.

According to Shitaka, Kenya previously ranked among Africa’s leading MICE destinations before dropping in recent years due to limited development of conference facilities. He said investments such as the Tembo International Convention Centre, which is hosting the conference, are critical to restoring the country’s competitiveness in the sector.

Mombasa’s profile as a leading meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination is receiving a boost from investments in conference infrastructure and improved international connectivity, developments that have come into sharper focus during the ongoing 11th Our Ocean Conference.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, industry stakeholders highlighted the role of the newly developed Tembo Convention Centre in strengthening Mombasa’s capacity to host large-scale international events. The facility has been described as the only convention center in Africa located directly on a beachfront, offering delegates immediate access to the coastal environment.

According to its developers, the convention centre incorporates lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an open-air architectural design intended to enhance health, safety and wellness for conference participants.

At the same time, expanded air connectivity is improving access to the coastal city. International carriers including Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir now operate services to Moi International Airport, increasing links between Mombasa and key regional and global markets. Industry players view enhanced air access as a critical factor in positioning destinations competitively within the global conference and business tourism market.

PrideInn Group Chief Executive Officer Hasnain Noorani said the development of the conference facility at PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort was driven by the need to position Mombasa as a competitive player in the global MICE market.

“We looked at what Rwanda and Cape Town in South Africa were doing and where conference numbers were going. We felt it was our responsibility as Kenyans to build the infrastructure first. Now we have the convention centre as well as the connectivity and the hospitality ecosystem needed. The only thing left is to go out and tell the world Kenya is ready for MICE,” Noorani added.

Industry leaders also point to the potential long-term tourism benefits associated with conference delegates extending their stays or returning for leisure travel.

The conference is expected to generate wider destination awareness as delegates share their experiences of the Swahili Coast within their professional and personal networks, potentially creating new opportunities for both leisure and business tourism.

The ongoing conference is being viewed by tourism stakeholders as a test case for the region’s ability to host major international gatherings and a potential catalyst for future investment in conference infrastructure along the coast.

Beyond the business events sector, the Our Ocean Conference has also drawn attention to Kenya’s broader sustainability agenda and the importance of marine conservation to the coastal tourism economy.

Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline supports a diverse range of ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests, which provide habitat for marine species such as whale sharks, sea turtles and humpback whales. These natural assets remain central to the region’s tourism appeal.

Furthermore, the conference has provided a platform for Kenya to showcase ongoing environmental initiatives aimed at protecting these ecosystems. Among the measures highlighted are coral reef restoration projects, mangrove rehabilitation programmes and community-led coastal monitoring efforts designed to strengthen marine conservation and support sustainable tourism development.

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