Global Tourism Resilience Conference to Take Place in Nairobi
World tourism policymakers, industry leaders and investors will gather in Nairobi in February as Kenya hosts the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day, Conference and Expo (GTRDCE), placing the country at the forefront of global efforts to strengthen tourism systems against future challenges.
The event is scheduled for 16–18 February 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). It will bring together ministers, regulators, development partners, technology firms and private sector operators to move the global tourism resilience agenda from policy discussion to practical execution.
The conference coincides with the United Nations–designated Global Tourism Resilience Day, observed annually on 17 February. This day was established to highlight the growing need for adaptive frameworks that enable tourism economies to withstand, respond to and recover from crises. Since its launch in 2023, the conference has become a leading international platform for policy alignment and cross-sector collaboration on tourism resilience.
This year’s edition marks a clear strategic shift. Held under the theme “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation,” GTRDCE 2026 will focus on operationalising resilience at destination, enterprise and community levels, against the backdrop of climate risk, geopolitical tensions, health emergencies and economic volatility.
According to organisers, discussions will centre on how governments and the private sector can embed resilience into tourism planning, infrastructure development, investment frameworks and workforce capacity, while improving crisis communication and recovery mechanisms.
Investment, Policy and Execution
The conference opens on Monday, 16 February, with high-level panels on resilience policy, local implementation and investment mobilisation. Sessions will examine the role of public-private partnerships, financing instruments and institutional coordination in building tourism systems that are both competitive and shock-resistant.
Participants will include senior government officials from Africa and beyond, alongside investors, destination managers, researchers and international tourism bodies. Organisers say the goal is to move beyond theory and showcase models that demonstrate measurable economic and social returns from resilience-led tourism strategies.
Global Tourism Resilience Day
The official observance on Tuesday, 17 February will feature a keynote address by Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC). His address, titled “Many Nations, One Africa – An African Tourism Vision,” is expected to frame Africa’s role in shaping a coordinated global approach to tourism resilience.
The day’s programme will also explore the use of data, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in crisis prevention and risk management, alongside breakout sessions focused on inclusive resilience. These will highlight the economic contributions of women, youth and indigenous communities, as well as innovations supporting wildlife, conservation and nature-based tourism.
Kenya’s Strategic Role
Kenya’s selection as host reflects both its tourism profile and its experience managing sector disruptions. As one of Africa’s most diversified tourism economies, the country has navigated recent global shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate variability and security challenges, making it a reference point for resilience-driven recovery.
Hosting the global observance in Nairobi also reinforces Kenya’s positioning as a regional convening hub, supported by its United Nations presence and the international-standard facilities of the KICC. Beyond the conference, the event offers a platform to showcase Kenya’s community-based tourism models, eco-tourism initiatives and digital innovations.
Outcomes and Outlook
GTRDCE 2026 is expected to deliver a number of tangible outcomes, including the launch of a “Resilience in Action” Global Report, progress towards the adoption of tourism resilience indicators, and the development of policy roadmaps aligned with investment and community-led implementation. Organisers also anticipate new cross-sector partnerships and funding commitments.
The conference will conclude on Wednesday, 18 February, with field learning visits to selected resilient tourism sites, including Nairobi National Park and the National Museums of Kenya, linking policy discussions to on-the-ground practice.
As the global tourism industry looks towards 2030, the Nairobi conference is expected to play a key role in shaping how destinations manage risk, attract investment and build long-term sustainability in an increasingly volatile operating environment.
