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By Eunice WAWUDA
Kenya is angling for a seat on the United Nations (UN) Tourism Executive Council for the 2025–2029 term, as it seeks to deepen its influence in global tourism policy, strengthen international partnerships, and champion sustainable growth in the sector.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, currently attending the Second UN Tourism Africa and Americas Ministerial Summit in Livingstone, Zambia, is spearheading Kenya’s high-level advocacy for the seat.
The summit brought together high-level delegations from Africa and the Americas to strengthen cooperation and advance tourism-led economic growth across the two regions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, CS Miano reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to playing a more prominent role in shaping tourism globally.
“Kenya is committed to playing a more active role in shaping the future of global tourism,” said Miano.
According to the CS, joining the UN Tourism Executive Council offers a critical platform for Kenya to champion enhanced connectivity, friendlier visa regimes, and sustainable tourism development adding that international cooperation was no longer optional but essential in building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready tourism sector.
Kenya officially submitted its candidature to all UN Tourism Member States on March 21, 2025, lobbying for return to UN Tourism Executive Council.
During the summit, CS Miano led efforts to consolidate Kenya’s candidacy for re-election to the Executive Council of UN Tourism. Securing a seat would reinforce Kenya’s voice in steering the global tourism agenda, especially on issues related to innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
Kenya’s leadership in the tourism sector is demonstrable through its role in Key UN Tourism Committees. These include Chairmanship of the UN Tourism Committee on Tourism Competitiveness and active membership in the Committee on Tourism Sustainability and the Committee on Programs and Budgets.
These strategic roles affirm Kenya’s commitment to shaping future-oriented, impactful tourism policies at the global level.
CS Miano underscored the need for collaborative solutions in a sector increasingly vulnerable to external shocks. “Tourism is a vital economic lifeline for many countries, especially in Africa. This platform provides us the chance to not only to elevate Kenya’s voice but also to contribute meaningfully to regional and global strategies that build sector resilience,” said the CS.
The ongoing contributions within the UN Tourism framework, including the current seat on the UN Tourism Commission for Africa and as an active member of the UN Tourism Technical Committee on Tourism and Sustainability, are reinforcing the country’s bid for the executive council seat.
Other initiatives include best practices in community-based tourism, conservation, and digital transformation.
During the summit, Kenya was recognized as the fourth best-performing tourism destination in Africa, and the top country for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the continent’s tourism sector for 2024, portraying the destination’s rising global profile and its robust recovery from the pandemic era.
“Our recognition is a testament to Kenya’s growing appeal and the remarkable strides we have made to rejuvenate our tourism sector. It reflects the strength of our policies, the resilience of our communities, and the attractiveness of our tourism offerings.
This international validation further fuels our ambition to take on a leadership role that not only benefits Kenya but also amplifies Africa’s voice on the global tourism stage,” Miano remarked.