Eldoret, Kenya will be the host city for the 2026 UN Tourism Week, an event aimed at diversifying Kenya's tourism offerings beyond traditional coastal and wildlife destinations. The week-long event, scheduled from September 21 to 27, will take place at the University of Eldoret grounds. The theme for this year's event is "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism." This event is expected to bring together various stakeholders, including national and county governments, tourism sector investors, technology companies, innovators, scholars, conservationists, and members of the public.
The 2026 UN Tourism Week will focus on showcasing how digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance Kenya's tourism sector. The event will feature innovations, digital solutions, and best practices in travel technology and smart tourism. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in capacity-building sessions on the practical use of digital technologies and AI in tourism. These sessions will target micro, small, and medium enterprises, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, youth, and community-based tourism enterprises.
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has urged Kenyans to attend the event and explore tourism offerings in Eldoret and the wider North Rift region. He highlighted that the event will feature various activities, allowing participants to sample the local tourism products and interact with businesses and communities. Bitok emphasized that the event is an opportunity for Kenyans to experience the "true home of champions" and explore the region's tourism potential.
The event will include planned road trips and a destination caravan to tourism sites across the North Rift, allowing participants to experience local tourism products and interact with businesses and communities. Other activities will include hot-air balloon rides and opportunities to experience Eldoret's nightlife and entertainment. The week will also seek to attract more international tourists by promoting tourism products and experiences through active sports and immersive cultural activities.
The tourism week will feature sessions on destination marketing, content creation, customer engagement, business development, and market intelligence. These sessions aim to help entrepreneurs and innovators improve their visibility and competitiveness in the tourism sector. Additionally, the event will include exhibitions showcasing tourism products, enterprises, innovations, culture, and creative expressions. These exhibitions will create opportunities for networking, collaboration, and market linkages.
The programme will also promote environmental conservation and sustainable tourism through tree-growing and clean-up activities. This initiative aligns with the global effort to promote eco-friendly tourism practices. By incorporating environmental conservation into the event, organizers aim to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable tourism and encourage participants to adopt eco-friendly practices.
The 2026 UN Tourism Week is expected to have a significant impact on Kenya's tourism sector, particularly in the North Rift region. By showcasing digital technologies and AI in tourism, the event aims to attract more tourists and create new opportunities for local businesses and communities. The event's focus on sustainable tourism and environmental conservation will also contribute to the country's efforts to promote eco-friendly tourism practices.
Key points
- The 2026 UN Tourism Week will be held in Eldoret, Kenya, from September 21 to 27.
- The event will focus on digital technologies and AI in tourism.
- The programme will promote environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices.
