Kenya and Jamaica formalized a new partnership to advance digital transformation in tourism through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The agreement, building on a 2019 collaboration, signals a shift toward technology-driven destination management and a more data-centric approach to sector competitiveness.
“Building on our initial partnership from 2019, this new agreement marks a shift towards a digitally transformed sector,” said Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife.
“We are keen to integrate a specialized AI Tool from Jamaica and fuse it into the Kenyan tourism ecosystem to enhance our destination competitiveness.”
Miano explained that the AI-driven technology will equip Kenya with the ability to harness data-driven insights to better understand visitors, safeguard cultural and natural heritage, and strengthen the country’s global tourism positioning.
“This technology will enable us to use data-driven insights to better understand our guests, protect our heritage, and boost our global standing~ when Caribbean innovation meets East African hospitality, the possibilities are endless and enormous,” she said.
The MoU was signed during a conference that gathered delegates from Jamaica, Angola, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting Nairobi’s role as a hub for regional and international collaboration on tourism resilience, adaptive strategies, and sustainable sector growth.
Miano highlighted the economic importance of tourism for Kenya, noting that the sector supports millions of jobs for women and youth and serves as a platform for cultural exchange.
She cited national data showing that in 2024, Kenya received 2.4 million international arrivals, generating Ksh 452.2 billion in revenue, and stressed the importance of moving beyond recovery from COVID-19 toward long-term transformation.
“Thank you, Jamaica, for walking this path of innovation with us. Kenya is ready to show the world what smart tourism really feels,” Miano said, signaling the strategic ambition behind the partnership to integrate cutting-edge technologies into destination planning, visitor engagement, and heritage protection.
Officials on both sides have indicated that the Kenya–Jamaica MoU will serve as a benchmark for South–South cooperation in tourism innovation, combining artificial intelligence, data analytics, and operational expertise to enhance visitor experiences and drive sustainable growth.
The agreement complements Kenya’s ongoing efforts to embed resilience in its tourism sector through climate adaptation, regenerative practices, digital tools, public-private partnerships, and support for small and medium enterprises, ensuring that the sector remains competitive, inclusive, and responsive to global shocks.
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