Kenya has conducted UN Tourism Week celebrations in Mombasa under the theme Tourism and Sustainable Transformation. The event brought together government officials, industry players and communities to showcase Kenya’s efforts in building a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife said the occasion also marked the fiftieth anniversary of the UN World Tourism Organisation. This milestone highlighted half a century of international cooperation and global action in tourism.
“Tourism, in its truest sense, is way more than the simple act of travel. It is a potent lever for transformation. It creates and sustains livelihood, fires economies, and supports infrastructure development for our collective benefit,” the Ministry statement reads in parts.
The celebrations featured a wide range of activities. At Mama Ngina Waterfront, cultural fairs and food festivals attracted both locals and visitors. In Kwale and Kilifi, mangrove restoration and turtle conservation projects underscored the environmental side of tourism.
President William Ruto attending a tourism event. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook
Youth engagement was also a central focus. According to the Ministry, young people took part in digital content creation, boot camps and symposiums on youth in conservation. These programmes are helping prepare the next generation of leaders in the sector.
The event concluded with a gala dinner and cultural show at Fort Jesus in Mombasa. This showcase was described as a vibrant display of Kenya’s living heritage and a reminder of the importance of cultural pride.
“Talk of economic empowerment walking hand in hand with cultural pride, environmental action seasoned with meaningful youth inclusion and we have it covered,” the Ministry noted.
The statement further highlighted opportunities in MICE tourism, which refers to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. It pointed to the importance of adopting digital solutions and paperless payments that reduce waste and improve convenience.
The Ministry concluded that the celebrations demonstrated how tourism can remain a driver of transformation while protecting heritage and ensuring benefits are shared fairly among all Kenyans.