Youth and Innovation Will Shape the Next Frontier of Regional Tourism

Hospitality has always been people-driven; today it is increasingly tech-enabled. Young professionals are leading the adoption of digital tools for communication, marketing, and guest service—turning social platforms into sales channels, building mobile loyalty and payments, an..

✨ Key Highlights

The 4th Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference highlighted that youth and innovation are crucial for the future of East African tourism. The conference, themed Leveraging Youth, Innovation, and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism, emphasized empowering young people to lead the industry's next phase.

Youth represent the overwhelming majority of the tourism workforce and a growing share of clientele, leading adoption of digital tools and reshaping marketing.
Mike Macharia, CEO of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), stressed the need for policies, partnerships, and investments to support young talent.
Key challenges include retaining young talent, requiring clear progression pathways and modern workplaces, and improving access to affordable financing for youth enterprises to foster innovation.