Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei, Tourism Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok and Tatler Africa MD Bonita Mutoni during the official signing of a strategic three-year hospitality partnership in Nairobi /KNA
Eldoret city is hosting this year’s UN Tourism Week celebrations as Kenya seeks to diversify its tourism offering beyond the traditional coastal and wildlife destinations.
Preparations for the week-long event, themed “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, are underway at the University of Eldoret grounds. Activities will run from September 21 to 27.
Tourism PS Julius Bitok said the ministry chose to host the event in the North Rift as part of efforts to open up new tourism circuits and promote lesser-known destinations.
“Eldoret is a major hub for the North Rift region, where we are targeting to open up a new circuit because it has many attractions that will help market Kenya as a tourism giant,” Bitok said.
The event will showcase digital technologies and artificial intelligence as emerging opportunities to enhance Kenya’s tourism reputation. It will focus on innovations, start-ups, digital solutions and best practices in travel technology and smart tourism.
Participants will include representatives from national and county governments, tourism investors, technology companies, innovators, scholars, conservationists, other stakeholders and members of the public.
“We have lined up many interesting activities not only to see but also 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 includes capacity-building sessions on the practical use of digital technologies and AI for tourism stakeholders.
These include micro, small and medium enterprises, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, youth and community-based tourism enterprises.
The ministry said participants will also explore how artificial intelligence and digital innovation can transform tourism and create new opportunities for destinations, businesses and communities.
Sessions will cover destination marketing, content creation, customer engagement, business development and market intelligence.
The aim is to help entrepreneurs and innovators strengthen their visibility and competitiveness.
Bitok said the event will also highlight the people, places and lived experiences of North Rift residents through organised road trips and a destination caravan.
Participants will visit attraction sites, experience local tourism products and engage with enterprises and communities to showcase the region’s tourism potential.
Other activities include hot-air balloon rides and experiences of Eldoret’s nightlife, including entertainment venues and other social attractions.
Bitok said attracting more international tourists is also a key priority, with the government seeking to promote tourism products and experiences through sports and immersive cultural experiences.
The initiative comes as Kenya seeks to broaden its tourism circuit and position destinations outside the traditional coastal and wildlife hubs as part of the country’s wider tourism offering.
