From crisis to transformation: Nairobi brought together global tourism leaders in search of a more resilient future
In mid-February, Nairobi became the focal point of one of the most important debates in global tourism: how to prepare destinations and the travel industry for a period in which disruptions are becoming more frequent and more expensive. At the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference & Expo (GTRDCE), gathered representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and academia warned that tourism is entering a “new normal” — an era of постоян crises, from extreme weather events and health threats to cyberattacks and the spread of disinformation.
The event was held in Nairobi from 16 to 18 February 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), organized by Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, in partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC). The theme was clearly set:
“Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation” — resilience in practice, from crisis response to real transformation.
Why Nairobi was an important choice
By hosting, Kenya wanted to send a message that the debate on tourism resilience is not conducted only in the traditional centers of the global industry, but also in regions that are often the first to be hit by shocks. Organizers emphasized that this is a forum that connects policies, investments, and innovation, and the program included discussions on policy implementation, infrastructure, crisis communication, workforce development, and financing resilience — including the use of data, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics.
In Nairobi, the role of the academic sector was also further highlighted. GTRCMC in East Africa operates at Kenyatta University, where it was established in 2019 as a regional center with the aim of strengthening capacities for crisis management in tourism and faster recovery of destinations after shocks.
“Crisis is no longer an exception”: Edmund Bartlett’s messages
At the center of attention was Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism
Hon. Edmund Bartlett, also one of the key promoters of the global tourism resilience agenda. In his addresses, he warned that the industry must stop behaving as if disruptions are rare and short-lived. The message he repeated to participants can be summed up in one sentence:
disruption has become constant.
Bartlett emphasized several areas that, in his words, can no longer be treated as secondary risks. Among them are cybersecurity, protecting destination reputations in the digital environment, reliable information systems, and faster international coordination when a crisis breaks out. He warned that attacks on digital infrastructure, as well as waves of disinformation, can quickly trigger a drop in bookings, brand damage, and loss of trust — sometimes even without any real change on the ground.
The digital battlefield: cyber risks, reputation, and disinformation
One of the summit’s most concrete emphases was on
cybersecurity. Tourism is largely digitized: booking and payment systems, guest management, air traffic, and logistics rely on networks and data. This makes it an attractive target for extortion, data theft, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Participants warned that in the event of a more serious incident, the consequences do not affect only individual companies, but also destinations — especially if there is a массов data breach of personal information or a system outage during the peak season.
In parallel, the growing role of social networks and review platforms opens space for rapid reputational crises. A misinterpreted piece of information, a false news story, or a coordinated campaign can change perceptions of a destination’s safety practically overnight. That is precisely why discussions in Nairobi addressed
“trusted information systems”: how to ensure verified, timely, and internationally comparable data during a crisis, and how to communicate to the public without panic and without sugarcoating.
From climate shocks to health: resilience as public policy
Panels particularly emphasized that tourism resilience is no longer only a matter of business strategy, but also
public policy. Climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, requiring infrastructure adaptation, risk management, and evacuation planning. At the same time, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic showed how quickly international travel can collapse and how vulnerable destinations are that depend on a single type of visitor or on a limited number of markets.
That is why there was talk about diversifying tourism products, strengthening local supply chains, and investing in human resources. The idea is for destinations to be more resilient not only to “big” shocks, but also to a series of smaller disruptions — from supply interruptions to regional security incidents — which in combination can turn into a serious crisis.
Global Tourism Resilience Day: an international framework and political weight
The conference in Nairobi was held in the week when
Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed, which is marked every year on 17 February. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly by resolution A/RES/77/269, with the aim of encouraging states to develop recovery strategies and resilient tourism development, and to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors.
In that context, Nairobi served as a kind of working platform: how to translate global declarations into operational plans, budgets, and standards that apply in crisis situations. Participants stressed that resilience cannot be reduced to one-off exercises or PR messages, but requires investment in systems, data, training, and coordination.
A call for a Global Tourism Resilience Fund
One proposal that recurs in this initiative is the establishment of a
Global Tourism Resilience Fund — a financial mechanism that would more quickly support preparedness and recovery of destinations, especially in countries with less fiscal space that strongly depend on tourism. At the conference, it was emphasized that shocks often hit vulnerable economies hardest: a season disruption or a drop in arrivals can have a direct effect on employment, local incomes, and financing public services.
The fund proposal in Nairobi was tied to the idea of “from words to structures” — to institutionalize resilience through programs and funding, instead of leaving it as a declarative goal. Although details on the governance model and funding sources have not been fully elaborated in publicly available materials, the emphasis is on global cooperation, transparency, and speed of response.
An award and symbolism: recognition for Bartlett in Nairobi
On the sidelines of the event, Bartlett received the
Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award in Nairobi, an award presented during the observance of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day on 17 February 2026 at the Safari Park Hotel. The award ceremony further highlighted Jamaica’s role in pushing the tourism resilience topic onto the international level, including the initiative that led to the UN’s official observance of 17 February.
What it means for the industry: from “crisis management” to system design
The most important conclusion from the discussions in Nairobi was not that the crisis will disappear, but that tourism must be designed as a system that assumes disruptions. This includes data security standards, crisis communication protocols, scenario planning, business continuity assurance, and better information exchange among states and the industry.
Organizers also highlighted the need for resilience to be linked with sustainability: investments in climate adaptation, resource efficiency, and protection of natural heritage have a dual benefit — they reduce risks and preserve the core attractiveness of destinations. In practice, this means that alongside classic tourism indicators, there will be increasing measurement of a destination’s ability to recover, maintain market trust, and protect local communities that live from tourism.
In the weeks after the end of the gathering, it is expected that some of the recommendations will be translated into new cooperation programs between Kenya, GTRCMC, and partners from other regions, while the discussion about the global fund and digital security will continue through other international forums.
Sources:- Kenya Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife – announcement and framework of the GTRDCE 2026 conference ( link )- GTRCMC – informational PDF pack for GTRDCE 2026 (dates, venue, theme, program details) ( link )- ATTA Travel – program overview and key topics, including Edmund Bartlett’s keynote ( link )- United Nations – Global Tourism Resilience Day and resolution A/RES/77/269 ( link )- Breaking Travel News – presentation of the “Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award” to Edmund Bartlett in Nairobi ( link )- eTurboNews – report from the conference and highlights on cyber risks and disinformation ( link )
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