Kenya Tourism Board Launches Youth Training Initiative to Boost Skills in Tourism and Hospitality
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to train over 200 young people in diverse areas of the tourism and hospitality industries, aiming to strengthen youth participation and entrepreneurship within the sector. The announcement was made during the Jamhuri Week celebrations held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where KTB CEO June Chepkemei emphasized the critical role of equipping youth with practical skills to unlock the vast economic potential of Kenya’s tourism industry.
Highlighting the importance of experiential tourism, KTB hosted a Youth Masterclass during the event, attracting more than 100 young participants. The sessions covered key topics such as photography, content creation, partnerships, and commercialization. Chepkemei noted that the masterclass, which included street photographers, focused on monetizing creative skills and demonstrated how photography can act as a powerful medium to communicate authentic tourism experiences.
Beyond creative arts, the masterclass addressed essential business components, including the capital requirements, regulatory compliance, and licensing needed to operate tourism enterprises. Chepkemei outlined KTB’s ambition to prepare youth for opportunities across a range of tourism touchpoints, such as franchising, ticketing, and hotel reservations. Trainers and mentors involved have committed to supporting participants through ongoing training and mentorship, while KTB will facilitate platforms for active trading and engagement within the tourism ecosystem.
With youth comprising an estimated 70 percent of Kenya’s tourism workforce, the initiative responds to a pressing need to develop industry-ready skills among young people. Trainer Margaret Gitonga underscored the program’s focus on foundational business knowledge, preparing participants to launch and sustain businesses ranging from travel agencies to tour operations and hospitality services.
Participants like street photographer Maurice Ochieng praised the initiative for bridging the gap between creative talent and business acumen. “We have learned a lot,” Ochieng said, “I realized that many of us take photos without understanding the business side of it. I’m grateful to KTB for the training and encourage other young people to attend such programs to learn and grow.”
The third day of Jamhuri Week was dedicated to Capacity Building, Research & Innovation for the Tourism, Wildlife & MICE Sector, with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment. This followed successful thematic days focused on wildlife and tourism activities.
The week will conclude with the attendance of President William Ruto, who is expected to inaugurate several key sector documents and initiatives, including the National Wildlife Census, the Tourism Manifesto, and a new Magical Kenya campaign. These launches are poised to reinforce the government’s ongoing commitment to advancing Kenya’s tourism, wildlife conservation, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sectors.
This youth-focused training initiative by KTB exemplifies how targeted capacity building can empower the next generation, ensuring Kenya’s tourism industry remains vibrant, innovative, and inclusive.
