Kenya has committed to supporting the UN Tourism’s growth and sustainability agenda aimed at promoting tourism as a leading economic activity.
Tourism is the world’s fifth export earning category as of the close of 2022.
The 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council was held in Barcelona, Spain, and chaired by Saudi Arabia Minister for Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb.
Kenya called for enhanced collaboration and resource mobilisation to strengthen the organisation, amidst the global economic strains.
"Global tourism is recovering fully from the effects of the pandemic and many destinations are getting past the mark of the pre - Covid era. The world is alive to the gains of the tourism sector and Kenya is aligned to tap in other global trends” Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who sent a delegation to Barcelona, said.
He said Kenya is committed to working closely with the UN Tourism and member states, to ensure tourism continues to be a key economic driver.
Mutua urged member states to explore innovative ways to raise funds and partner with other UN agencies such as the UN-Habitat and the private sector.
He said Kenya would leverage on the various programmes of UN Tourism in various areas including capacity building, community-based tourism, artificial intelligence, innovation, education, product promotion among others.
The CS further highlighted the need to regularise the election cycle and address non-compliance of membership fees as key to providing predictable budgeting and financing, that allows the UN Tourism to effectively execute its core functions of supporting regional workshops and initiatives.
As chair of the Committee on Tourism and Competitiveness until 2027, Kenya aims to steer other members into leveraging global data, research, case studies and partnerships to enhance global policies, as well as its own tourism policies and strategies.
The country also seeks to ensure the interests and needs of African and developing countries are represented amidst the voices of more established tourism markets on the global stage.
Kenya was elected to chair the UN Tourism's Committee on Tourism Competitiveness until 2027 earlier this year, after two rounds of voting, defeating strong bids from Thailand and Malta.
UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili made a call for more cooperation within the regions, including joint meetings.
The Americas and Africa will meet in 2024 and Kenya will be part of the Africa talks slated for July, 2024 in Zambia.