The global tourism spotlight turns to Nairobi on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, as leaders from government, industry, academia and technology gather to mark Global Tourism Resilience Day at the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Conference & Expo, taking place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The Day 2 programme signals a decisive shift from resilience as theory to resilience as practice – with Africa firmly positioned at the centre of global conversations on policy, data-driven crisis prevention, inclusion and conservation-led growth.
Proceedings will open at 9:00 am with remarks from John L. Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, and Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife. Both are expected to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to embedding resilience into national tourism planning and regional cooperation.
The Global Tourism Resilience Day keynote will be delivered by Edmund Bartlett, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), under the theme ‘Many Nations, One Africa – An African Tourism Vision’. Bartlett is expected to call for coordinated continental action, capacity-building and systems thinking to future-proof tourism in an era of recurring global shocks.
Data, AI and crisis prevention
A Panel Discussion on Data-Driven Defence will examine how artificial intelligence, big data and predictive analytics can strengthen early-warning systems and crisis response mechanisms. Moderated by Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the GTRCMC, the session brings together policymakers, destination managers and technology leaders from Africa and beyond.
The discussion will focus on how data intelligence can protect destinations, sustain visitor confidence and support faster recovery when disruptions occur.
Inclusive and nature-based resilience
Late-morning sessions will split into two concurrent breakout labs. Resilience for All will spotlight the role of women, youth and indigenous communities in building more inclusive tourism systems, while Investing in Innovation for Wildlife and Nature-Based Tourism Resilience will explore financing models, conservation partnerships and technology-driven solutions for protected areas and community-based destinations.
The Day will conclude with a high-level closing plenary featuring Ololtuaa, Miano and Bartlett, alongside Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The session will focus on regional commitments and practical pathways to 2030, reinforcing the need for sustained collaboration across borders and sectors.
Global Tourism Resilience Day will wrap up with networking, exhibition tours and an evening cultural exchange and awards ceremony at the Safari Park Hotel, where the Resilience Champions of 2026 will be recognised – underscoring Nairobi’s role as a convening hub for Africa-led tourism resilience solutions.
