Tourism Sector Celebrated at Inaugural Tourism Excellence Awards in Nairobi

 

TOURISM CS HON REBECCA MIANO OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING THE EVENT

Nairobi, December 11, 2025 by Kinana Munene

Kenya’s vibrant tourism industry was feted Thursday night at the inaugural Tourism Excellence Awards, held at the Tsavo Ballroom, Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The prestigious ceremony brought together policymakers, industry leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to recognize outstanding contributions shaping the future of tourism in Kenya. The event was organised by Tourism Regulation Authority.

The gala was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, alongside Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting innovation, sustainability, and excellence within the sector.

In her keynote address, Hon. Miano applauded stakeholders for their resilience and creativity, noting that tourism remains a key pillar of Kenya’s economy. She emphasized the importance of community involvement, sustainability, and storytelling in strengthening Kenya’s global tourism brand. She also highlighted the need for TRA classification, which was launched by President William Ruto to be rolled out early next year, discouraging self-classification.

 Mr. Samuel Kagiri Kariuki taking home the Best Tourism Photographer award

One of the night’s most celebrated honors, Best Conservancy – Community Impact, was awarded to Lewa Conservancy for its exemplary work in conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. The award highlighted Lewa’s role as a model for balancing wildlife protection with socio-economic development.

The creative lens of tourism was also recognized, with Mr. Samuel Kagiri Kariuki taking home the Best Tourism Photographer award for his compelling visual narratives that showcase Kenya’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife.

In the business category, Sun World emerged as Best Tour Operator, an award presented by Alex Munyao, recognizing the company’s excellence in service delivery and destination experiences. Hemingways Travel was named Best Travel Agency, with the award presented by Josephine Kinoti, celebrating the agency’s long-standing reputation for premium travel planning and customer satisfaction.

Olanka Safaris 2nd runners up best travel agency

Sustainability remained a central theme throughout the evening. The Tourism Sustainability Award was won by Pax Manor, applauded for integrating environmentally responsible practices into hospitality while maintaining high standards of guest experience.

Youth and innovation were also firmly in the spotlight. Lorna Tangus and Daniel Mdachi Mghendi were jointly recognized as Young Entrepreneurs in Tourism, honoring their entrepreneurial drive and fresh approaches that are redefining opportunities for young people within the industry.

Digital influence and media excellence featured prominently among the awards. Ibrahim Haggai was crowned Tourism Influencer of the Year, recognized for his impactful online storytelling and destination promotion. Tobias Korrir Messo received the Tourism Journalist of the Year award for his insightful reporting and dedication to telling authentic tourism stories.

Kinana Munene and Karuiki Kinana of Travel Tuesday receiving the best tourism content award

A major highlight of the night was the Travel Content Creator of the Year award, presented by Director Nicanor Sabulla, which went to Travel Tuesdays for outstanding travel storytelling and consistent promotion of destinations through engaging digital content.

As the curtains fell on the inaugural ceremony, the Tourism Excellence Awards set a strong precedent for celebrating merit, innovation, and impact across the tourism value chain. Organizers noted that the awards aim to become an annual platform to inspire excellence and position Kenya as a leading global tourism destination.

The night ended on a note of optimism, unity, and renewed commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism industry for Kenya.

Location: City Square, along, Harambee Ave, Nairobi, Kenya

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