The Government of Kenya has renewed its tourism cooperation agreement with Jamaica, culminating in the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration to strengthen bilateral ties and accelerate growth in the tourism sector.
The renewed partnership, anchored under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, builds on an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) first signed on 5 August 2019 in Kingston, Jamaica.
The updated framework reinforces collaboration between the two nations, recognising tourism as a critical driver of economic growth, job creation and cultural exchange.
Leaders attend Nairobi declaration meeting.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, where he was the Chief Guest, Musalia Mudavadi underscored the importance of the Nairobi Declaration in deepening cooperation between Kenya and Jamaica. He noted that the agreement reflects a shared vision to harness tourism as a strategic pillar for sustainable development.
The Nairobi Declaration outlines a broad roadmap for collaboration within the tourism and hospitality industries.
Under the renewed pact, both countries will exchange information and data, particularly on the application of information technology, regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.
Leaders attend Nairobi declaration meeting.
Additionally, Kenya and Jamaica will share expertise in beach management, public-private partnerships, cultural and heritage tourism development, and cruise ship and air connectivity management.
The agreement further promotes direct cooperation among private-sector players, including hoteliers and tour operators, to strengthen destination marketing and investment opportunities.
A key pillar of the Nairobi Declaration is the promotion of safe, ethical and sustainable tourism practices. Both nations have committed to building resilience against crises affecting the sector, including climate-related shocks and global disruptions.
In this regard, the partnership will facilitate knowledge sharing on hosting major international events and enhancing tourism recovery strategies.
Significantly, the agreement also provides for the establishment of a Kenyan satellite centre dedicated to global tourism resilience and crisis management.
Leaders attend Nairobi declaration meeting.
The centre is expected to position Kenya as a regional hub for research, training and policy development in tourism resilience.
Furthermore, the renewed cooperation encourages participation in each other’s travel exhibitions and the development of structured human resource training programmes.
Mutual investment in tourism infrastructure and services is also expected to increase under the strengthened framework.
The Nairobi Declaration marks a new chapter in Kenya-Jamaica relations, reinforcing longstanding diplomatic ties while unlocking fresh opportunities within the global tourism market.
As both countries seek to diversify their economies and boost visitor numbers, the renewed agreement signals a deliberate shift towards innovation, sustainability and strategic international partnerships in the tourism sector.
