Tourism week is an event that didn’t matter to many Kenyans in the past few years, but lately it is beginning to feel different.
What was once viewed as a space for officials, hoteliers, and conferences is slowly taking the shape of something ordinary Kenyans can see, touch, and benefit from.
This year’s Tourism, Wildlife and MICE Week has deliberately leaned towards people, not paperwork. The focus has shifted to jobs, biashara, and creativity.
Across pop-up markets, food experiences, cultural showcases, sports activities, and innovation hubs, the message is clear: tourism must work for wananchi.
Behind this change is a steady push to reposition tourism from an elite industry into a people-driven economy.
The sector is being presented less as a luxury and more as a tool for livelihoods, especially for youth and small traders who form the backbone of Kenya’s informal economy.
Young people are finding new doors opening. Tourism is no longer limited to tour vans and hotel receptions.
Digital content, virtual experiences, talent showcases, events, fashion, food, and sports are now recognised as part of the tourism value chain. Skills that many youths already have are finally finding a place to earn.
Small traders and creatives are also feeling the difference. Food vendors, performers, artisans, transport operators, and event suppliers are benefiting from increased activity and visibility. For many, tourism week is not about speeches, but sales.
Cultural performances and gastronomy experiences have helped Kenyans see their identity as an economic asset.
Music, food, fashion, and tradition are no longer just for celebration; they are income-generating opportunities.
Quietly but firmly, the sector is being steered towards inclusivity, sustainability, and practical impact.
The emphasis on community participation, innovation, and domestic tourism reflects a leadership style that believes tourism should be felt on the streets, not just discussed in boardrooms.
As tourism week unfolds, one thing is becoming evident: tourism is being reintroduced to Kenyans not as an abstract idea, but as a source of opportunity, dignity, and daily survival.
