Nairobi 2026 Conference Signals Africa and Caribbean Now Lead Global Tourism Future

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The 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day, Conference and Expo (GTRDCE), held from February 16–18, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, represented a pivotal shift in the global tourism landscape. As the first edition hosted outside Jamaica, it embodied the “Nairobi Tone”, a bold declaration of South-South leadership, where nations in Africa and the Caribbean transition from passive recipients of resilience strategies to active architects of global solutions.

For years, we have framed tourism in the Global South as seasonal, vulnerable, and dependent on external stability. The Nairobi event challenged this view, emphasising proactive, collaborative approaches to crises like climate change, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and digital disruptions.

The conference opened with a powerful message from Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, founder of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC). Alongside co-author Prof. Lloyd Waller, Bartlett has long advocated that resilience is essential for developing destinations.

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Bartlett said, “Resilience is not waiting for the storm to pass; it’s learning to navigate the gale.” Prof. Lloyd Waller, who commended Bartlett for transforming resilience into actionable policy, reinforced his vision. The event featured the launch of their co-authored book, Destination Reputational Resilience, which positions reputation management as critical infrastructure in the social media era. For emerging markets like Ghana, the book underscores the need to treat digital defence with the same urgency as physical safeguards, protecting brand integrity against misinformation and rapid narrative shifts.

Kenya showcased its practical approach to resilience during the inauguration. Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, delivered the keynote on behalf of Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki. She highlighted Kenya’s dominance in renewable energy, with over 90% of electricity generated from green sources, as both an environmental commitment and an economic strategy to mitigate future disruptions.

“Investing in resilience today is the surest antidote to tomorrow’s losses,” she stated. Supporting voices included Dr. John L. Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Tourism, and Prof. John Okumu, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University. Their contributions showed how government policy and academic research work together to create strong, evidence-based plans to protect local tourism systems and their value chains.

A standout address came from Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, who elevated the conversation to diplomatic and sovereign levels. He framed tourism as a cornerstone of national economic security for African nations, warning that shocks in the sector can trigger wider instability.

Mudavadi’s “Many Nations, One Africa” vision urged dismantling fragmented borders that hinder progress. He advocated unified approaches to visa harmonisation, regional marketing, and a continental AI strategy to achieve technological sovereignty. This would equip Africa to combat digital misinformation, a dangerous frontier capable of devastating reputations overnight.

He argued that, for Africa, tourism is not a luxury sector but a sovereign economic anchor, noting that tourism-related economic shocks often lead to broader social instability. He pushed for a unified African vision, arguing that “fragmented borders are the greatest threat to continental resilience.” His call for technological sovereignty was equally firm, noting that Kenya is actively pursuing a National AI Strategy to protect the digital assets of the tourism value chain.

According to him, the sector’s strong performance is evidence that Kenya’s strategy is gaining traction. Tourism earnings stood at approximately KSh 268 billion in 2023, with 2024 growth to KSh 452 billion, while international arrivals reached 2.4 million. The government, he said, is targeting 5.5 million arrivals in the coming year.

“These figures reflect a positive trajectory; we remain fully committed to developing a vibrant, competitive and resilient tourism sector,” he told delegates.

Building on this momentum, Minister Bartlett proposed establishing a Global Tourism Resilience Fund. He urged the international community to provide tangible financing for small island states and emerging economies, criticising the gap between rhetoric and resources.

The conference wrapped up with an awards ceremony at the Safari Park Hotel, honouring Bartlett’s trailblazing work. The announcement of Málaga, Spain, as the 2027 host marked the event’s evolution from Caribbean origins to African innovation and now toward Europe, demonstrating how Southern lessons are informing global practices.

For West African stakeholders, particularly in Ghana, the Nairobi gathering delivered key insights. Resilience requires institutional approaches rather than reactive measures. Digital reputation requires proactive governance and monitoring. Regional integration—through shared protocols and collective branding- offers the strongest buffer against external volatility.

Delegates experienced Kenya’s conservation model firsthand during a visit to Nairobi National Park, where they saw how wildlife protection also serves as a sustainable economic driver.

The “Nairobi Tone” signals a profound change: Africa and the Caribbean are no longer merely adapting to global tourism norms. They are setting them, leading the charge toward a more equitable, resilient, and self-determined future for the industry.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

1. What was the main theme of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo in Nairobi?

The event focused on “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation,” emphasising proactive strategies for destinations in Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond to anticipate, respond to, and recover from global shocks.

2. Who founded the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC)?

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, founded the GTRCMC and has been a leading advocate for resilience as an existential necessity for developing nations.

3. What key statistics did Kenya highlight about its tourism sector?

Kenya reported tourism earnings of approximately KSh 268 billion in 2023, rising to KSh 452 billion in 2024, with 2.4 million international arrivals. The government targets 5.5 million arrivals in the coming years.

4. What is the “Nairobi Tone” and why is it significant?

The “Nairobi Tone” represents a commitment to South-South leadership in tourism resilience, in which Africa and the Caribbean shift from vulnerability to leading global responses, including through unified policies and technological sovereignty.

5. What is proposed for the next host city after Nairobi?

The 2027 edition of the conference will be held in Málaga, Spain, illustrating the global spread of resilience lessons originating from the Global South.