Kenya Takes Centre Stage as Nairobi Hosts Global Tourism Resilience Conference

The delegation led by Tourism Cs Hon Rebecca Miano, alongside her Jamaican counterpart Hon Edmund Bartlett. 

By Kinana Munene

Nairobi is once again in the global spotlight as it hosts the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre from 16th to 18th February 2026. The high-level gathering brings together tourism leaders, innovators, policymakers and investors from across the world to deliberate on the future of tourism resilience under the theme “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation.”

For Travel Tuesdays, this week’s feature explores how the conference not only strengthens Kenya’s position as a leading travel destination but also highlights the country’s commitment to sustainable and resilient tourism.

A Global Event with Local Impact

Organised in partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, the conference underscores the growing importance of resilience in an industry that supports millions of livelihoods across Africa. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano noted that Africa’s tourism future must be built on deliberate resilience, especially in the face of digital risks, climate volatility and misinformation that can rapidly influence travel trends.

Hosting the event in Kenya signals confidence in the country’s capacity to convene global tourism dialogue and implement practical solutions that benefit destinations across East Africa.

An entertainment session to welcome the guests to the Conference

Tourism as a Development Engine

Founder and Co-Chair of the Resilience Centre and Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, emphasised that tourism is more than leisure; it is a development engine that fuels employment, entrepreneurship and foreign exchange earnings. When tourism is disrupted, the ripple effects are felt across households, small businesses and national economies.

This message resonates strongly with Kenya, where tourism remains a key pillar of economic growth, driven by wildlife safaris, cultural experiences and community-based tourism initiatives.

Key Highlights of the Conference

The three-day programme features high-level panels, keynote sessions and immersive learning tours designed to translate global strategies into practical local resilience.
Some of the highlights include:

  • Opening ceremony with international tourism leaders and government officials

  • Panels on crisis response, AI in tourism and investment in resilience

  • Breakout sessions focusing on women, youth and indigenous leadership in tourism

  • Field excursions to model resilient destinations such as Nairobi National Park and the National Museums of Kenya

Day Two, marked as Global Tourism Resilience Day, places Africa at the centre of global tourism transformation, reinforcing the continent’s role in shaping future travel systems.

Delegates during the conference
             

Why This Matters for Travellers

For travellers, resilience translates to safer destinations, better crisis communication and stronger recovery systems during disruptions. Experts at the conference highlighted that modern tourism now operates in an era of layered disruptions from climate events to cyber risks and digital misinformation, making preparedness a competitive advantage for destinations.

Kenya’s focus on smart tourism infrastructure, predictive analytics and sustainable destination management positions it as a forward-thinking travel hub in Africa.

A Boost for Kenya’s Travel Brand

Beyond policy discussions, the conference is expected to enhance Kenya’s destination image, boost investor confidence and encourage new travel partnerships. The presence of global delegates also creates opportunities for cultural exchange, expo walkthroughs and networking that showcase Kenya’s rich heritage, hospitality and innovation.

As Nairobi hosts global tourism stakeholders, the message is clear: resilience is the future of travel. For explorers planning their next adventure, Kenya is not only a destination of breathtaking landscapes and wildlife but also a country actively shaping the future of sustainable tourism.

From policy halls at KICC to excursions across resilient heritage sites, this Travel Tuesday reminds us that the journeys of tomorrow depend on how well destinations prepare today.

                                                         

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