Kenya Tourism Board names new CEO

image courtesy of @goplacesdigital twitter | eTurboNews | eTN
L-R - KTB Chair Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert, New KTB CEO John Chirchir, Outgoing KTB CEO Betty Radier - image courtesy of @goplacesdigital, twitter

Kenya Tourism Board in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Heritage has appointed John Chirchir, HSC, as its acting CEO.

Chirchir replaces the outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier, who has completed serving her full term of 6 years at the helm of the marketing agency. While announcing the changes, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chairperson, Ms. Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert, termed Radier’s tenure a successful one having seen through a strong destination brand with global recognition.

“Her six years in office has helped positively profile the destination globally, and I strongly believe that the incoming acting CEO will build on this to take the destination to the next level,” said the Chairperson.

Dr. Radier who has served for a 2-year term of 6 years since the year 2016 lauded the industry for resilience, and innovative and proactive measures to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that had threatened to erode gains in the tourism business. She has in the period overseen key programs including the evaluation and listing of the Magical Kenya Signature Experience (MKSE), leveraging partnerships as well upscaling the use of digital marketing.

“I am happy that that the strategies we have put in place together with the Ministry of Tourism and the private sector to grow tourism numbers is yielding fruits with increase in number of domestic bed nights occupancy and international arrivals, we particularly applaud the domestic market for their support,” said Radier.

Chirchir, who has been serving as the Digital Marketing Manager, has extensive knowledge on destination marketing spanning for over 20 years and has championed marketing programs in Kenya’s tourist key source markets of Europe, Emerging, Africa, and the US.

He holds a master’s degree in Hotel and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Commerce in marketing, and post graduate Diploma in digital marketing.

He has been key in KTB’s navigation of the board’s digital programs accelerated by the pandemic. He has been recognized for his service in the public sector and awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC), usually given to outstanding Kenyans who selflessly render their services to the country.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor

Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor

Linda Hohnholz has been writing and editing articles since the start of her working career. She has applied this innate passion to such places as Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University, the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, and now TravelNewsGroup.

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