NAIROBI, Kenya—Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called for stronger efforts to leverage tourism’s power to foster peace and coexistence in communities as Kenya joins the global community in celebrating the 45th annual World Tourism Day.
CS Miano underscored the critical role of culture in promoting peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development through tourism.
Speaking during the national UN Tourism Day celebrations held in Kisumu County, the CS urged stakeholders to harness tourism’s transformative power in fostering intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding between communities.
“As we commemorate this year’s World Tourism Day, themed ‘Tourism and Peace,’ here in Kisumu, I implore the tourism fraternity to lead the charge in entrenching a culture of peace. Tourism has the power to build bridges across cultures, promote social justice, and drive economic equity,” Miano remarked.
CS Miano applauded Kisumu for hosting a spectacular Kenya Tourism Week and World Tourism Day, which has positioned the lakeside city as a prime destination for cultural tourism, innovation, and peacebuilding. The week-long event featured FAM trips with media and stakeholders, tree planting, exhibitions, boat races, culinary and fashion festivals, security and safety capacity building, street art, and the tourism excellence awards cementing Kisumu’s status as one of Kenya’s emerging tourism powerhouses and a pillar in the western circuit
Kisumu County Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili, expressed pride in Kisumu’s role as the host of the national event, emphasizing the county’s potential as a gateway to East and Central Africa. He highlighted how Kisumu’s diversified tourist offerings, including cultural and sports tourism, make it a valuable asset for Kenya’s tourism agenda.
“Kisumu’s rich natural endowments, vibrant heritage, and peace-loving communities make it an ideal hub for cultural tourism enterprises that can spur development and social cohesion. As a strategic gateway to East and Central Africa, Kisumu offers immense potential to boost cross-border tourism, which is a great asset for Kenya. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to realize this vision,” said Owili.
Narok County Governor Patrick Olentutu, who also serves as the Chair of the Council of Governors’ Tourism and Wildlife Committee, reinforced the importance of county-level tourism. He noted that Kenya’s counties serve as the “heartbeat” and custodians of the country’s tourism, offering a glimpse of Kenya’s rich identity. “Counties are the hotspots of tourism in Kenya, showcasing a piece of our nation’s identity. The Council of Governors has earmarked tourism attractions and experiences, including festivals across the counties, and we call on the Ministry to support in profiling and developing them,” Governor Ole Ntutu said.
Tourism Principal Secretary Hon. John Ololtuaa reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering tourism entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly among Kenya’s youth, to drive competitiveness and create employment opportunities.
“The Ministry is investing in capacity building and financing for young talent to inject fresh perspectives into tourism promotion, product development, and marketing. With enabling policies, these trailblazers can create sustainable micro-enterprises that contribute to peacebuilding,” Ololtuaa explained.
The World Tourism Day celebrations featured dazzling cultural performances and exhibitions, depicting Kenya’s tourism and cultural offerings through traditional dances, cuisines, and artifacts.
The global celebrations were held concurrently in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the auspices of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The United Nations has consistently recognized tourism’s potential as a driver of socio-economic progress and a key pillar in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to UNWTO statistics, tourism accounts for one in ten jobs globally and contributes an estimated 10% to the world’s GDP.
