The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) was formed in 1979 after its forerunner, the East African Society of Travel Agents, which was in existence for 22 years, was disbanded due to the collapse of the East African Community.

Today KATA is a national organization comprising of International Air Transport Association registered agents and IATA/UFTAA approved training institutions. The association is a member of UFTAA, the Universal Federation of Travel Agents  Association representing 84 countries with its headquarters in Brussels. UFTAA has consultative status with the United Nations Organization and a close liaison with the World Tourist Organization. Governance

KATA is run by a full time secretariat with a chief executive and a voluntary executive committee comprising senior working members of the travel industry. The executive committee is mandated by the constitution to oversee the overall management of the association and ensure implementation of the associations’ vision. The executive committee meets monthly and also on a need basis to deal with the myriad issues that present themselves to the travel agents.