Kenya and Jamaica have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at speeding up the digital transformation of their tourism sectors, opening a new phase of cooperation focused on innovation-led destination management.
The agreement was announced on Tuesday by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on the sidelines of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo, currently taking place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
“Building on our initial partnership from 2019, this new agreement marks a shift towards a digitally transformed sector,” Miano said.
“We are keen to integrate a specialized AI tool from Jamaica and fuse it into the Kenyan tourism ecosystem to enhance our destination competitiveness.”
Miano said the planned adoption of AI-driven technology will allow Kenya to use data-based insights to improve understanding of visitor behaviour, support the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and strengthen the country’s global tourism profile.
When Caribbean innovation meets East African hospitality, the possibilities are endless and enormous,” Miano added.
“Kenya is ready to show the world what smart tourism really feels like.”
The MoU was signed during the Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo, which opened on Monday and has brought together delegates from Jamaica, Angola, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event is focused on improving preparedness and building resilience across the tourism sector in the face of global challenges, including pandemics, climate change and economic disruption.
Miano said resilience remains central to protecting livelihoods in Kenya, where tourism continues to play a key role in the national economy.
“Tourism isn’t just about travel; it’s about the millions of jobs for our women and youth and the cultural exchanges that unite us,” she said.
She pointed to Kenya’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, with international tourist arrivals reaching 2.4 million in 2024 and tourism earnings rising to KSh 452.2 billion.
“We are moving from recovery to transformation,” she said.
According to Miano, the government is placing priority on climate adaptation, regenerative tourism, digital transformation, public-private partnerships and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises as part of its resilience agenda.
“Through climate adaptation, regenerative tourism, digital transformation, public-private partnerships, and finance for SMEs, Kenya is investing in resilience today, which will be our antidote against tomorrow’s losses,” Miano said, adding that Kenya aims to remain a leading global destination.
Officials said the Kenya–Jamaica partnership is expected to set a benchmark for South–South cooperation in tourism innovation, with artificial intelligence and data analytics seen as key tools to improve visitor experiences and support sustainable growth across the sector.
