Kisumu County has launched a week-long Tourism Fiesta with a renewed focus on digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), youth empowerment, and strategic plans to position the region as a major tourism destination.
The fiesta, which coincides with the global World Tourism Week celebrations, brings together tourism stakeholders, young people, cultural groups and exhibitors in a series of activities aimed at showcasing Kisumu’s tourism potential.
County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism, Cooperatives, Industry and Marketing Farida Salim said the celebrations will include a youth symposium, media familiarisation tour, cultural street carnival and motorsport tourism.
She said the second edition of the Kisumu City Drift Takeover will form part of the celebrations, alongside activities designed to showcase the county’s rich culture and tourism attractions to both domestic and international audiences.
“We have packaged all this to be celebrated not only by the people of Kisumu, but by the whole world. The world will be watching because in Kisumu we are committed to bringing out the best of Kisumu,” Salim said.
A major focus of this year’s fiesta is the use of digital technology and AI to create new opportunities for young people in tourism and hospitality.
Salim said the county has partnered with the French organization, Alliance Française, and other experts to equip university students undertaking hospitality-related courses with digital skills that can help them create employment rather than solely seek jobs.
She said experts from the hospitality sector, the French Chamber of Commerce and digital innovation players will engage the youth during the week-long programme.
“We are linking languages with opportunities. We are committed, and we are walking the talk. We are not just saying it; we are walking it,” she said.
Speaking at the launch of the Fiesta, Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said Kisumu was deliberately investing in tourism and the blue economy as part of efforts to unlock new sources of economic growth in Western Kenya.
Owili said the county’s strategic links with Mombasa and Entebbe provided an opportunity to develop a tourism circuit connecting Western Kenya to established regional and international destinations.
He said Kisumu’s direct connection with Mombasa and flights to Entebbe, Uganda, could help open up the county to more tourists and investment.
“The next frontier for GDP growth remains harnessing the blue economy and tourism, especially in Western Kenya,” Owili said.
He added that the county had invested in the sector over the past nine years and was working with partners to attract further investment and expand tourism opportunities.
Owili used the platform to announce a two-year partnership between Kisumu County and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), targeting tourism, hospitality and women in the county.
The programme, he said, will attract Sh30 million in annual investment for two years, with the county and its partners expected to develop plans to improve the tourism and hospitality sector.
The Deputy Governor said the county expected more partners and stakeholders to join the initiative, noting that Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was expected to engage with stakeholders during the celebrations.
Meanwhile, the county government assured tourists, exhibitors and other participants of enhanced security throughout the fiesta.
“We are very safe. We are pulling together. I am assuring all the partners and exhibitors here that this ground is secured entirely throughout the period,” Salim said.
The county has urged residents, visitors and young people to attend the various activities, particularly the youth sessions focusing on digital literacy, AI and opportunities in tourism and hospitality.
The celebrations are being held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground, with additional activities scheduled at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre and other venues across the city.
