Nairobi: Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Tourism and Wildlife Rebbecca Miano has flagged off Kenya’s delegation to the Middle East and Africa to empower youth through the Future Leaders Challenge 2025, set to take place from January 21st to 25th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Speaking on Monday after the flagging off at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the CS said that the delegation consists of twelve exceptional students and eight dedicated educators representing Kenyatta University’s Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre-Eastern Africa, Strathmore University, and Boma College.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS acknowledged these institutions’ significant contributions to advancing tourism education and research through their commitment to nurturing talent and driving sustainable growth in the tourism industry. ‘The Ministry, through the State Department of Tourism, is committed to empowering our young people. We aim to unleash their innovativeness and help them become job creators and leaders in the tourism, hospitality, and conservation sectors,’ said the CS.
Miano emphasized that the Youth in Tourism and Conservation Initiative will harness creativity and energy, enabling them to become agents of positive change. ‘The future of tourism and conservation lies in the hands of our youth,’ she remarked. The CS expressed confidence that the delegation’s participation would contribute to elevating Kenya’s profile on the global stage and inspire future collaborations within the region.
Additionally, she called upon stakeholders within the tourism and hospitality sectors to leverage insights gained from the event to enhance service delivery, promote cultural exchange, and adopt innovative solutions that address industry challenges. In his remarks, the Dean of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at Strathmore University, David Kyalo, highlighted the significance of the Tourism Training Revolving Fund, which provides financial support to individuals pursuing education in tourism-related fields.
He explained that by offering loans for a wide range of studies within the tourism sector, the fund aims to develop a highly skilled workforce that drives excellence and sustainability in Kenya’s tourism industry. Kyalo emphasized that the Tourism Revolving Fund has been instrumental in supporting tourism and hospitality students, especially given the sector’s potential for growth, which had previously been hindered by limited capacity.
He recognised that this initiative, along with a strong commitment to students, has been crucial for universities and technical institutions, especially in addressing the challenges faced by students in East Africa. ‘We deeply appreciate your unwavering support. This has enabled us to expand the programme and empower the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals,’ he stated.