The 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo commenced at the KICC in Nairobi, assembling global tourism leaders, policymakers, conservation advocates and industry innovators to tackle critical challenges facing worldwide tourism. This landmark event, running from February 16 to 18, 2026, represents the inaugural African hosting of the United Nations-anchored gathering, highlighting Kenya’s expanding influence in international tourism resilience discourse.
From the outset, the conference has combined urgency with optimism as participants engage in high-level dialogues centered on “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation.”
Tourism ministers, government agency heads, private sector executives, academics, and development partners are sharing perspectives on enhancing crisis readiness, advancing digital innovation, and integrating sustainability into global tourism frameworks.
During her keynote address, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, outlined objectives reflecting Kenya’s vision for a resilient and transformed tourism sector. She stressed that the conference focuses not merely on crisis response but on establishing comprehensive systems enabling tourism to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from global disruptions. She asserted that preparedness must be an essential component of tourism planning and policy, not an optional consideration.
In her remarks, CS Miano emphasized several priorities central to Kenya’s summit leadership:
Creating institutional resilience frameworks capable of withstanding disruptions including pandemics, climate change impacts, and security threats, moving beyond immediate crisis responses to long-term sustainability approaches.
Enhancing international cooperation and partnerships to facilitate knowledge exchange and synchronized efforts, positioning tourism as a key engine for economic recovery and development.
Integrating innovation and technology into tourism operations to support data-informed decision-making and flexible responses to emerging risks, a point reinforced by herself and other experts in recent sector conversations.
Promoting inclusive growth through empowering host communities and youth via skill development and opportunities ensuring direct tourism benefits, in line with broader human capital initiatives supported by her ministry.
Beyond formal presentations, the conference has included expert panels on resilience governance, risk management, artificial intelligence, and communication strategies for safeguarding destination reputations in today’s digital landscape.
Participants have also engaged in networking activities, exhibitions displaying resilience approaches, and cultural exchanges honoring global tourism leaders. A special Resilience in Action Report is anticipated for release, accompanied by new metrics to evaluate and compare resilience across destinations.
Global Tourism Resilience Day observance on February 17 brought together ministers and industry representatives for in-depth discussions on sector priorities, while final-day field visits will showcase Kenya’s effective tourism resilience approaches, featuring heritage preservation and sustainable urban tourism initiatives.
As the three-day gathering progresses, Nairobi’s message is resolute: global tourism must transition from reactive crisis measures to a forward-looking, collaborative, and transformative movement protecting both travelers and economic stability in an unpredictable world.