Kenya’s tourism sector continues to play a central role in driving inclusive economic growth by creating jobs, empowering youth and women, preserving cultural heritage, and safeguarding wildlife and the environment, while strengthening the country’s global connections.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi underscored the importance of strengthening the sector’s capacity to withstand global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, geopolitical pressures and economic uncertainty.
Mudavadi noted that under the leadership of William Ruto, the government has adopted a diversification strategy to reduce reliance on traditional wildlife safaris and expand into emerging tourism segments, including cultural tourism, eco-tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), sports tourism, gastronomy and digital tourism experiences.
"Tourism continues to power Kenya’s inclusive growth, creating jobs, empowering youth and women, preserving our culture, and protecting our wildlife and environment while connecting us to the world." he said
He commended Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, for steering strong sector performance, citing a significant rise in tourism earnings from KSh 268 billion in 2023 to KSh 452.2 billion in 2024, representing a 68.7 per cent increase.
According to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Kenya received a record 2.4 million international visitors in 2024, with projections indicating that arrivals could reach 5.5 million by 2027. He said this growth is expected to translate into more employment opportunities, expanded business prospects and enhanced community development across the country.
The conference and expo brought together global tourism leaders and partners, including ministers from Jamaica, South Sudan, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reinforcing Kenya’s role in shaping the future of resilient global tourism.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to build a tourism sector that is adaptable, sustainable and capable of withstanding emerging global challenges.
