Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok / FILEEldoret will host the 2026 UN Tourism Week as Kenya seeks to diversify its tourism offerings beyond the traditional coastal and wildlife destinations.
The week-long event will be held at the University of Eldoret grounds from September 21 to 27 under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
The event will showcase how digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance Kenya’s tourism sector through innovations,
, digital solutions and best practices in travel technology and smart tourism.
Participants will include national and county governments, tourism sector investors, technology companies, innovators, scholars, conservationists, tourism stakeholders and members of the public.
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok urged Kenyans to attend the event and explore tourism offerings in Eldoret and the wider North Rift region.
“We have lined up many interesting activities to not only see but to actively participate in. We invite everyone to visit Eldoret and the greater North Rift to sample the glory of the true home of champions,” Bitok said.
The programme will include capacity-building sessions on the practical use of digital technologies and AI in tourism, targeting micro, small and medium enterprises, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, youth and community-based tourism enterprises.
Participants will also explore how AI and digital innovation can transform tourism and create opportunities for destinations, businesses and communities.
The event will feature sessions on destination marketing, content creation, customer engagement, business development and market intelligence to help entrepreneurs and innovators improve their visibility and competitiveness.
The tourism week also includes planned road trips and a destination caravan to tourism sites across the North Rift, allowing participants to experience local tourism products and interact with businesses and communities.
Other activities will include hot-air balloon rides and opportunities to experience Eldoret's nightlife and entertainment.
The week will also seek to attract more international tourists by promoting tourism products and experiences through active sports and immersive cultural activities.
Tourism products, enterprises, innovations, culture and creative expressions will be showcased through exhibitions aimed at creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and market linkages.
The programme will also promote environmental conservation and sustainable tourism through tree-growing and clean-up activities.
