Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit (AYTIS) is a positive pointer for Kenya tourism growth 2025. AYTIS will be held in Nairobi from 2025 through to 2027. At the heart of it are the African youth pushing continental tourism to a new level with innovation. Tourism-targeted innovations are taking over the safari landscape in Africa. A virtual safari experience is now a reality. You can explore famous tourist destinations across the world from the comfort of your living room from anywhere in the world.
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What is Spurring Kenya Tourism Growth 2025?
The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit is one of the major factors behind Kenya tourism growth 2025. This summit is positioning Kenya as a youth innovation hub with a special focus on African tourism. Kenya is among the major tourism players in East Africa courtesy of its developed infrastructure, an abundance of safari destinations and more investors in the hospitality sector.
Strategic marketing, specifically the Magical Kenya campaign has worked well for Nairobi in the last two years. Kenya welcomed 2.09 million foreign travellers in 2023 and this number increased to 2.4 million international visitors in 2024. In revenue terms, this translates to Ksh377.49 billion (USD 2.9 million) in 2023 and Ksh452.20 million (USD 3.4 million) in 2024. An impressive 15% growth in tourism revenue and its projected to rise further in 2025.
A Kenyan wildlife safari at Amboseli National Park. Photo/Amboseli National Park
Now, all eyes are on the 7th edition of AYTIS scheduled to be held in the Kenyan capital. It was launched on January 29 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) by African Tourism Partners alongside UN Tourism, Kenya’s Tourism Ministry, BDO, AFCTA and TEAMS Africa.
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit Dates
As a major proponent of Kenya tourism growth 2025, the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit will be held from June 24 to June 27. The summit is in line with the Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Ministry’s plan to include the youth in its innovation and conservation programmes. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano in December 2024 announced the ministry’s focus on the Kenyan Youth in Tourism initiative which aligns with AYTIS.
Miano’s office, through the Director for Planning in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Karanja Waigi, welcomed the summit stating that it’s a critical platform for empowerment and innovation. Waigi on behalf of the tourism CS stated that AYTIS aligns with Kenya tourism growth 2025 goals.
“This will be more than just a gathering, but a movement. It will showcase the immense potential of intra-Africa trade in tourism services and highlight the vital role of youth in shaping the future of this industry,” part of the statement read.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano at a past event with a senior Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer. Photo/Kenya Wildlife Service
Why is Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge Important?
AYTIS is a platform dedicated to improving tourism in Africa through youth-inspired innovation. It’s an integral part of Kenya’s tourism growth aimed at bringing together like-minded innovators and tourism players. The idea is for these players to jointly get innovative solutions to existing problems in the African tourism sector. A part of the solution is exploring potential opportunities in the continent’s tourism sector.
Participants in this year’s summit will have a chance to share ideas and exchange notes through planned training and workshops from June 24 to June 27. Havar Bauck, a co-founder Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit says that the summit augurs well for Kenya Tourism growth 2025 and beyond. Bauck who co-founded AYTIS together with Barry Clemens is upbeat that the summit will lead to more jobs in the African tourism industry.
Havar Bauck, a co-founder of Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa) which will be hosting AYTIS for the next three years in Nairobi. Photo/Finding Humans in Tech
Bauck insists that the time has come for Africa to look beyond beaches and wildlife and embrace other travel aspects that make Africa a top travel destination. For him, innovation is crucial in this shift aiming at targeting more global travellers with diverse tourism offerings. He believes that AYTIS is the perfect vehicle to make all this a reality in the next three summits to be held in Nairobi.
Is AYTIS Important for Kenyan Tourism Growth?
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge is a major proponent of Kenya’s Tourism growth in 2025. Expect to drink from the well of knowledge of over 1,000 African tourism stakeholders. Other big names in the travel and hospitality sector will also share nuggets of wisdom with participants. Their presence presents an opportunity to network, brainstorm, share ideas, and collaborate on different projects.
Clemens remarked that hosting AYTIS in Nairobi for three summits is an opportunity to empower the next generation to transform African travel through innovation.
