By Ebi Kesiena
Kenya and Jamaica have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fast-track digital transformation in their tourism sectors, signaling deeper bilateral collaboration focused on innovation and smart destination management.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced the agreement during the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
The new deal builds on an earlier partnership established in 2019 but now shifts the focus squarely toward digital advancement.
“This agreement ushers us into a digitally transformed tourism era, we are looking to integrate a specialized artificial intelligence tool developed in Jamaica into Kenya’s tourism ecosystem to boost our destination competitiveness.” Miano said
According to Miano, the AI-powered platform will allow Kenya to leverage data-driven insights to better understand visitor behavior, safeguard cultural and natural heritage, and strengthen the country’s global tourism appeal.
“When Caribbean innovation meets East African hospitality, the opportunities are limitless, Kenya is ready to demonstrate what smart tourism truly looks like.” she noted.
The MoU was formalized during the conference, which brought together delegates from Jamaica, Angola, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The event focuses on strengthening tourism resilience against global shocks, including pandemics, climate change, and economic instability.
Miano stressed the importance of resilience in protecting livelihoods, emphasizing tourism’s central role in Kenya’s economy.
“Tourism goes beyond travel, it sustains millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth, and fosters cultural connections across borders,” she said.
Highlighting Kenya’s post-pandemic recovery, Miano revealed that international tourist arrivals reached 2.4 million in 2024, generating KSh 452.2 billion in tourism revenue.
“We are transitioning from recovery to full-scale transformation,” she said.
As part of its long-term resilience strategy, the government is prioritizing climate adaptation, regenerative tourism, digital innovation, public-private partnerships, and expanded financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“By investing in climate adaptation, regenerative tourism, digital transformation, public-private partnerships, and SME financing, we are building resilience today to safeguard against tomorrow’s challenges,” Miano added.
Officials say the Kenya-Jamaica partnership could become a model for South-South cooperation in tourism innovation, with artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics expected to elevate visitor experiences and support sustainable growth across the sector.
