Kenya hosted tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across the world during the official opening of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day, Conference and Expo (GTRDCE) 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, 16th-18th February 2026.
The high-level event was presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, and hosted in partnership with ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ, represented by Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Okumu and Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa (GTRCMC-EA), Dr. Albert Kariuki.
The opening ceremony was also graced by the Minister for Tourism of Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett, who is the Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC). He was joined by the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Tourism, John Ololtuaa, as well as tourism ministers from five countries and other distinguished guests.
Strengthening Global Tourism Resilience
The conference brings together global tourism leaders, academics, innovators, and industry practitioners to explore strategies that enhance resilience, crisis preparedness, and sustainable growth within the tourism sector. The event provides a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and partnerships aimed at safeguarding tourism economies against global disruptions.
In her remarks, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, academia, and the private sector in building resilient tourism systems capable of withstanding emerging global challenges.
Minister Edmund Bartlett emphasized the role of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in advancing research, innovation, and capacity building across regions, noting that tourism resilience is now a central pillar for sustainable economic development worldwide.
³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s Role
As host through the GTRCMC-EA, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ continues to play a leading role in advancing tourism resilience research, training, and policy support across the Eastern Africa region. The university’s participation highlights its commitment to global partnerships that strengthen sustainable tourism and crisis management frameworks.
The 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo 2026 features keynote addresses, panel discussions, exhibitions, and strategic dialogues focused on innovation, climate resilience, digital transformation, and inclusive growth in tourism.
The event is expected to further position Kenya as a global hub for tourism resilience thought leadership and foster new international collaborations that support the sector’s long-term sustainability.