The 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo unfolded over three days from February 16 to 18 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, positioning Nairobi as a hub for international dialogue on sector preparedness, adaptive strategies, and sustainable growth, while drawing over 1,000 delegates including tourism ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano emphasized Kenya’s ambition to embed resilience into every facet of the sector, underscoring the intersection of economic recovery, workforce empowerment, and strategic innovation as the foundation for a competitive, future-ready tourism industry.
“As we host delegates from Jamaica, Angola, South Sudan, and the DRC, our message is clear~we are stronger when we prepare together. Tourism isn’t just about travel; it’s about the millions of jobs for our women and youth and the cultural exchanges that unite us,” said Rebecca Miano, reflecting on the opening day of the conference.
She contextualized the discussions with national data, noting that in 2024 Kenya registered 2.4 million international arrivals, generating Ksh 452.2 billion in revenue, signaling the country’s transition from recovery post-COVID-19 toward structural transformation in tourism through climate adaptation, regenerative practices, digitalization, public-private partnerships, and SME financing.
“Very insightful thoughts on leveraging on the South to South cooperation with shared requirements to exchange tools, data and ideas as we jointly create investment pathways rooted on realities,” said Miano, emphasizing the second day’s focus on global collaboration and strategic investment pathways.
Panels and technical discussions explored actionable measures for integrating data intelligence, early warning systems, and governance frameworks into destination management, while highlighting the human and community dimensions of resilience alongside economic metrics.
The conference drew international voices such as Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, who contributed to sessions on flexible crisis response mechanisms and long-term recovery planning, reinforcing Nairobi’s role as a venue where policy innovation intersects with operational imperatives.
Miano underscored the continuity of the discussions, noting that lessons from previous disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic have informed a model where resilience is foundational rather than reactive, with integrated approaches spanning climate adaptation, digital readiness, and inclusive growth strategies.
“After a successful two-day conference, we gathered for a celebratory evening, a moment to honor the partnerships strengthened and the milestones achieved. We leave this fete not just with ideas, but with a collective roadmap for a more sustainable global industry,” said Miano, reflecting on the event’s conclusion.
She highlighted Kenya’s capacity to host large-scale international gatherings while showcasing innovation in digital transformation and green energy, signaling the capital’s emergence as a diplomatic and tourism innovation centre in Africa.
For Kenya, the conference reinforced the strategic centrality of tourism as both an economic and social engine, with coordinated approaches to resilience designed to protect millions of jobs, expand market access, and strengthen community participation across local and regional destinations.
Miano’s leadership throughout the event emphasized that national priorities and international collaboration must operate in tandem, ensuring that the sector not only survives shocks but thrives, driving inclusive growth, innovation, and a sustainable competitive advantage for the country.
The 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day closed with a renewed commitment to embed resilience in governance, investment, and community engagement across the continent, offering a blueprint for future international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and practical implementation of policies that safeguard the tourism ecosystem against emerging global risks while positioning Kenya as a benchmark for strategic, adaptable, and forward-looking sector management.
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