Kenya Records 70% of Youth Workforce in the Tourism Sector
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano with members of Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC). The CS Noted that Kenya’s youth account for 70% of the Tourism workforce.
Kenya has surpassed the global average of youth workforce in the tourism sector to record a 70 per cent mark.
Tourism & Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has termed the growth a reflection of the country's ongoing efforts to empower young people and strengthen its economy through sustainable employment.
According to the United Nations report titled A Youth-Led Recovery of Global Tourism, youth account for 50 percent of the global tourism workforce.
“Tourism is one of the sectors the government is prioritizing to bridge the unemployment gap among our youth and to provide more long-lasting opportunities for Kenya’s young population,” said CS Miano.
She emphasized that the government is working to further improve these numbers through various initiatives aimed at skills development, entrepreneurship, and broader inclusion of youth in the tourism economy.
The CS made the remarks while presiding over the inaugural East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC), an event she also serves as the patron.
The East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC) is part of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Future Leaders Platform, the region’s foremost initiative dedicated to creating a dynamic and collaborative community that addresses emerging challenges within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Across Kenya’s tourism sector, young people contribute to numerous roles, including as driver-tour guides, waiters and servers, managers of experiential tourism facilities, and wildlife rangers who help protect the country's rich natural heritage among others.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano (L) with Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, the DVC Academic & Students Affairs at Strathmore University during the inaugural East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC) held at the Strathmore University. The CS also serves as the patron of EA FLC.
"I am honored to serve as the patron of this initiative that focuses on the youth, a segment of our population that holds the key to our future. The Ministry of Tourism continues to work with stakeholders both within and beyond the tourism ecosystem to support capacity building, empowerment initiatives and product development," said CS Miano. "We are committed to producing a skilled and capable workforce that can drive Kenya’s tourism sector and economy forward."
CS Miano also encouraged young people to take advantage of technology, noting that with their technological savviness, they are well-positioned to add more value and innovation as they transition into leadership roles within the sector.
The East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC) will see winners take home awards and recognitions that celebrate their leadership potential, while providing opportunities to represent the region on larger platforms.
The two-day event that commenced today at Strathmore University, includes leadership challenges, expert panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions designed to prepare youth for dynamic careers in tourism and hospitality.
At the same time, the CS disclosed that Kenya would continue to enhance visitors experience right from arrival through the airport following the recent launch of customer service charter at JKIA.
Product and experience diversification, she added, were some of the other initiatives the tourism sector was putting in place to cater for the varied needs and preference on today traveller.
“Our aim is to ensure that we cater for the needs of the modern traveller through efficient service delivery in all of our touch points in the country,” added the CS.