Nairobi Set for Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference
NAIROBI, February 2026 – Kenya is stepping firmly into the global spotlight as a leader in tourism crisis management. Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, has announced that Nairobi will host the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo from 16–18 February 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Themed “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation”, the high-level gathering will bring together governments, industry leaders, and innovators to chart a new path for proactive resilience in tourism.
“We are moving from simply responding to shocks to engineering systems that are inherently adaptive, inclusive, and transformative,” Miano told reporters during a joint virtual briefing with Jamaican media
From Concept to Action
The Nairobi conference, co-convened by Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), marks a shift from awareness to implementation. Conference streams will focus on:
- Crisis preparedness and early warning systems
- Digital and data-driven tourism platforms
- Sustainability and climate resilience
- Workforce development and social inclusion
- Community-based tourism models
An accompanying expo will showcase resilience-driven technologies and innovations, with exhibition spaces integrated into conference areas to maximize networking and knowledge exchange.
Kenya’s Pan-African Vision
Beyond logistics, Kenya is positioning itself as a Pan-African hub for tourism resilience. The government has removed visa requirements for all African and Caribbean visitors, a move hailed as a breakthrough for intra-continental tourism and trade.
Kenya is also diversifying its tourism portfolio—expanding into MICE tourism, cruise travel, film tourism, cultural heritage, and eco-tourism—with a target of five million international visitors annually by 2026.
“Diversification is no longer optional; it is essential for competitiveness,” Miano stressed.
The Technology Imperative
Digital transformation is central to Kenya’s resilience agenda. At the World Governments Summit in Dubai earlier this month, Miano unveiled plans to harness AI and smart data for predictive analytics, personalized travel experiences, and real-time ecosystem monitoring.
These innovations aim to drive “purpose-led travel”—balancing growth with environmental stewardship and community benefit.
Building the Resilience Architecture
Kenya’s strategy is underpinned by partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, and private investors. The World Bank Group’s MIGA has unlocked US$450 million in foreign direct investment for hospitality projects across Africa, while security collaborations—such as ACT training with the British High Commission—are strengthening crisis response capabilities.
Jamaica’s Legacy, Kenya’s Execution
Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett, who championed the UN resolution establishing Global Tourism Resilience Day, laid the foundation. Nairobi now carries the responsibility of translating resilience philosophy into operational reality.
Success, Miano explained, will be measured by systems that withstand crises, communities that enjoy stable income, and conservation programmes that remain funded regardless of visitor fluctuations.
Looking Ahead
Kenya welcomed 2.4 million international visitors in 2024, generating KSh 452 billion (US$3.5 billion) and supporting 1.7 million jobs. With ambitious targets of 5.5 million visitors by 2027, the sector is growing—but remains vulnerable to global shocks.
The Nairobi conference will test Kenya’s ability to lead the sector toward a balanced, diversified, and self-sustaining future.
“Tourism has always been one of Kenya’s greatest stories,” Miano reflected. “By protecting our heritage and pursuing bold growth, we are laying the foundation for shared prosperity well beyond 2026.”
Closing Note
The Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference in Nairobi is more than an event—it is a blueprint for resilience in practice. The world will be watching to see if Kenya can deliver frameworks that transform resilience from rhetoric into reality.
