Global Tourism Leaders gather in Nairobi as Industry Faces Climate, Crisis and Recovery Challenges

The world’s tourism leaders gathered in Nairobi from February 16 to 18 for the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day, Conference and Expo, turning the spotlight on one pressing question: how can a sector responsible for more than 10 per cent of global GDP withstand an era defined by climate volatility, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

Hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the summit brings together ministers, global policymakers, researchers, investors and industry executives to rethink the future of travel beyond national boundaries, rather than focusing on single-country gains. Discussions centre on tourism as an interconnected global system vulnerable to shared shocks.

Speakers at the Nairobi summit emphasised that resilience must move beyond emergency response. Instead, it should encompass climate-adaptive infrastructure, digital transformation, diversified tourism products, sustainable financing models, and stronger cross-border policy coordination. “The future of tourism is not about bouncing back, it’s about building forward,” representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife noted during the opening session, underscoring the shift from short-term recovery to long-term transformation.

Research presented at the conference highlights three key global priorities: climate adaptation and mitigation, and Tourism, which both contribute to and suffer from climate change. Investment in green transport, regenerative tourism models, and resilient infrastructure is increasingly urgent. Digital resilience: From AI-driven forecasting tools to smart border management, technology is becoming central to crisis preparedness and demand management. Inclusive growth: Ensuring tourism revenues support local communities and reduce inequality remains critical for long-term social stability.

As global travel flows shift toward emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America, international collaboration is becoming essential to prevent fragmentation and competitive policy approaches. Kenyan officials say their role as host underscores Africa’s growing influence in global tourism governance.

Across the African continent, the sector continues to grapple with persistent challenges, including limited intra-African air connectivity, high travel costs, fragmented visa regimes and underdeveloped transport infrastructure, all of which constrain regional tourism flows. Climate change remains a defining threat, with prolonged droughts, floods, cyclones and coastal erosion placing pressure on wildlife ecosystems, heritage sites and beach destinations that anchor many economies.

Financing gaps also slow investment in climate-adaptive infrastructure and digital transformation. At the same time, a heavy reliance on a narrow range of products, such as safaris and seasonal leisure tourism, leaves destinations exposed to global demand shocks. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, although tourism remains a major employer and foreign exchange earner across Africa, sustaining long-term growth will require diversification, stronger regional cooperation, skills development and policies that ensure communities retain greater economic value from the sector.