NAIROBI, Kenya, April 28, 2025 – Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called on the youth to reimagine and lead the transformation of the hospitality and tourism industry in East Africa, positioning it as a modern, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive sector.
Speaking at the inaugural Future Leaders Challenge East Africa Edition held at Strathmore University, Miano, who is also the event’s Patron, emphasized the need for legacy-driven leadership focused on empowering young people.
“It is gratifying to see a leadership-focused initiative, supported by industry players, academia, government, and well-wishers, taking shape with the vision of a brighter future,” said Miano.
The CS highlighted the critical role of hospitality in shaping visitor perceptions and driving economic growth, noting that tourism contributes nearly 10 percent to Kenya’s GDP.
She stressed that the industry must be seen not just as a service sector, but as a key component of national progress and international relations.
Miano congratulated the team representing Kenya at the Future Leaders Challenge Finals in Dubai and urged students participating in the event to challenge norms, innovate, and align their skills with the evolving demands of the global hospitality market.
“We must build stronger bridges between the classroom and the boardroom to nurture the next generation of leaders,” she said.
She further called for the standardization of training, service delivery, ethics, and innovation across East Africa’s tourism sector to present the region as a unified, high-quality global destination.
Pledging the Ministry’s support, Miano reaffirmed her commitment to creating enabling environments that foster innovation, resilience, and youth empowerment in tourism and hospitality.
The event, organized by the East Africa Future Leaders Challenge Secretariat in collaboration with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa, Strathmore University, and Boma International Hospitality College, attracted key industry players, educators, and youth leaders from across the region.
