NAIROBI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will next week host a major tourism fair bringing influential travel trade representatives from over 30 key tourism market countries across the globe to help market the country as a tourist destination, organizers said on Thursday.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) is set to run on Oct. 3-5.

"This is yet another opportunity for our hospitality industry to network and explore business opportunities at the leading travel trade expo in East Africa," Betty Radier, KTB Managing Director said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

She said that 185 exhibitors have confirmed participation in the event. At the same time, the number of hosted buyers at this year's expo has risen to 150 up from 132 recorded last year, said Radier.

She said increased participation in the event is a testament to the growing recognition of MKTE as Africa's show of choice as well as Kenya's global stature as a Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) destination.

"Hosted buyers include travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and trade media from Kenya's key tourism source markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas," said KTB.

Kenya has stepped up its marketing blitz to woo key source markets in wake of a decrease in tourist arrivals occasioned by a spate of insecurity brought about by acts of terrorism from al-Shabab and travel advisories issued by countries that provide key source markets.

Tourism is the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue for Kenya after tea, with the main tourist attractions being photo safaris through 19 national parks and game reserves, though the country has been diversifying to other areas like eco-tourism, conference tourism and cultural tourism.