Nairobi — Kenya youth now account for 70 percent of the industry's workforce, significantly surpassing the global average of 50 percent.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano hailed the achievement as a reflection of the government's deliberate efforts to empower young people and drive economic growth through sustainable employment opportunities.
"Tourism is one of the sectors the government is prioritizing to bridge the unemployment gap among our youth and provide more long-lasting opportunities for Kenya's young population," said Miano.
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She spoke during the inaugural East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC) held at Strathmore University, an event where she also serves as Patron. The EA FLC is part of the broader Middle East and Africa (MEA) Future Leaders Platform, designed to build a dynamic, youth-led response to emerging challenges in the hospitality and tourism industries.
Miano emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism is rolling out initiatives focused on skills development, entrepreneurship, and deeper inclusion of youth in the tourism economy. Across the sector, young people are driving growth as driver-tour guides, hospitality managers, wildlife rangers, and operators of experiential tourism facilities.
"I am honored to serve as Patron of this initiative, which focuses on the youth -- the key to our country's future. We remain committed to building a skilled and innovative workforce that will propel Kenya's tourism sector to greater heights," said Miano.
She encouraged young people to leverage their technological expertise to inject innovation into the sector and transition into leadership roles.
"The youth's tech-savviness positions them uniquely to add more value to the future of tourism," she added.
The two-day EA FLC event features leadership challenges, expert panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions designed to equip youth for dynamic careers in hospitality and tourism. Winners will receive awards and recognition while gaining opportunities to represent East Africa on global platforms.
Meanwhile, Miano noted that the government is enhancing the visitor experience across Kenya, including through initiatives like the recently launched customer service charter at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
She added that diversifying tourism products and experiences remains a priority to meet the evolving preferences of modern travelers.
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"Our aim is to ensure that every touchpoint across the country delivers efficient, world-class service to meet the needs of today's global tourist," she said.
