David G. Gitonga

Patriotic Kenyan, husband, and father of three lovely girls (triplets).

Tourism Professional.

Ag. CEO, Tourism Research Institute, Kenya

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

https://t.co/AO53lnbMJw

[Kenya Tourism Federation @KTF_Kenya]

KTF Tourism Networking Gala ongoing

[CS Rebecca Miano, EGH @rebecca_miano]

Had quite a productive engagement with CAF Acting General Secretary, Samson Adam alongside Football Kenya Federation @FKEKenya President Hussein Mohamed as we align our plans for the upcoming AFCON 2027 tournament.

While AFCON will be a celebration of African football excellence, it is equally a game-changer for Kenya’s tourism sector. As fans travel across our cities and coastal regions to support their national teams, the ripple effect will extend far beyond the stadiums. From our boutique hotels and city lodges to our national parks, coastal resorts, and local culinary spots, visitors will experience the true warmth of Kenyan hospitality.

Major sporting events create incredible opportunities for local tour operators, transport providers, artists, and small business owners who form the heartbeat of our travel economy.

As we prepare our infrastructure and hospitality networks to deliver a world-class event, we look forward to turning every football enthusiast into a lifelong ambassador for Magical Kenya.

Kenya is ready to welcome Africa and the world 🇰🇪!

[State Department for Tourism @TourismKe__]

𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 & 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

Tourism Secretary Mr. @dgitonga18 , representing the Principal Secretary for @TourismKe__ @JuliusKBitok, underscored the importance of affordable, accessible and long term financing in unlocking Kenya’s tourism and hospitality investment potential.

Speaking during Africa Capital Week 2026, he highlighted Government efforts to strengthen investment through infrastructure development, improved connectivity, public private partnerships and innovative financing solutions.

He called for increased investment in hotels, eco-lodges, cultural tourism, conservation, green infrastructure and community based enterprises to create jobs, strengthen local economies and drive shared prosperity.

By connecting viable tourism opportunities with affordable capital, Kenya can build a more competitive, sustainable and locally anchored tourism sector.

#AfricaCapitalWeek2026 #TourismInvestment #TourismAndHospitality #InvestInKenya #TourismForSharedProsperity

[CS Rebecca Miano, EGH @rebecca_miano]

Today marked a major milestone as Skyward Express launched its inaugural scheduled flight connecting Nairobi to Garissa at Wilson Airport.

Connectivity is the heartbeat of a thriving tourism sector~Garissa holds a rich, unique cultural heritage from the serene Tana River environment to the vibrant Somali culture, local cuisine, and community experiences. Improved air travel bridges the gap, opening the doors wide for domestic tourism, trade, and investment in North Eastern Kenya.

As we target atleast 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and 7.5 million domestic bed-nights by 2027/2028, expanding regional air accessibility remains critical.

A huge congratulations to Skyward Express and the County Government of Garissa, led by H.E. Governor Nathif Jama, for making this partnership a reality.

I encourage our local entrepreneurs and tour operators to seize this opportunity by packaging authentic experiences for travelers. Together, let us make Garissa,and the entire Nothern circuit a must-visit destination!

Pack your bags and experience Garissa 🇰🇪!
@SkywardAirline
#originofwonder
#MagicalKenya
#GarissaFligh
t#TourismKe #SkywardExpress

[CS Rebecca Miano, EGH @rebecca_miano]

We're closely tracking the development progress of the state-of-the-art Ronald Ngala Campus of Kenya Utalii College @KenyaUtalii in Vipingo, Kilifi County, as it prepares to officially open its doors to its pioneer cohort of students soon.

This landmark facility will serve as a regional hub of excellence~expanding training capacity, creating sustainable economic opportunities for coastal youth, and elevating standards across Kenya's hospitality sector.

With youth constituting over 75% of personnel in the hospitality industry, equipping our young workforce with world-class skills remains vital to matching global demand and enhancing Kenya's competitiveness as a premier tourist destination.
@JuliusKBitok

#InvestInKenya
#MagicalKenya
#Hospitality

[Julius Kibet Bitok @JuliusKBitok]

One of the highlights of my day at the KAHC Annual Symposium was visiting the exhibition booths and engaging with our partners and sponsors. These interactions reaffirmed my belief that the future of Kenya’s tourism sector will be built through stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.

As many have jokingly reminded me, I seem to enjoy negotiations. 😄 Well, this is one negotiation I’m happy to lead, bringing together ideas, partnerships and investments that will make Kenya an even more vibrant and competitive tourism destination.

Kenya is steadily strengthening its position as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). The modernization of Bomas of Kenya, alongside KICC, will enhance our capacity to host world-class international events.

I am committed to actively pursuing more conferences and meetings for Kenya because every successful bid creates opportunities across our tourism and hospitality value chain.

To our hospitality industry, let us continue raising the bar in service, comfort and authentic Kenyan hospitality. Exceptional guest experiences remain our greatest marketing tool and the surest way to inspire repeat visits.

Together, through strong public-private partnerships, we can showcase the very best of Kenya to the world and firmly position our country as Africa’s destination of choice #MagicalKenya

[State Department for Tourism Kenya @TourismKE_]

Tourism Principal Secretary, Amb. Prof. @JuliusKBitok, today chaired a meeting with Heads of Department to review departmental reports, assess ongoing programmes, and align on key priorities for the growth and competitiveness of Kenya’s tourism sector.

[Julius Kibet Bitok @JuliusKBitok]

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with our Heads of Department to review our progress, assess ongoing programmes, and align on the priorities that will drive the growth and competitiveness of Kenya’s tourism sector.

It was an open and productive engagement that gave us the opportunity to reflect on what is working well, identify the areas that need improvement, and, most importantly, find practical solutions together. I am encouraged by the commitment and dedication of our team as we continue working towards a stronger, more vibrant tourism sector that delivers for all Kenyans.

Together, we will keep building a tourism industry that is innovative, competitive, and globally outstanding #MagicalKenya

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

Global Tourism Chiefs Hail Kenya as Conservation and Travel Powerhouse https://t.co/IACC8aOeZS

[Dawan Africa @DawanAfrica]

Global tourism chiefs just rewrote their Africa playbook. One country made them do it.
Full Read: https://t.co/zautoxor2R

[Hon. Najib Balala E.G.H @tunajibu]

Visited the ongoing construction of #Bomas and impressed by the progress. Kudos to President @WilliamsRuto for prioritising this landmark project. it is set to be a true game changer for conventions and regional growth. @WTTC

[Kenya Tourism Board Corporate @KTBKenya]

Kenya continues to lead Africa's tourism growth story.
📈 Tourism contributed USD 12.7B to the economy in 2025
👥 Supported 1.8M jobs
19.9% of tourism energy comes from low-carbon sources
✈️ Welcomed 2.7M international visitors #MagicalKenya #WTTC #SustainableTourism

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

RT @TourismKE_: Tourism Secretary @dgitonga18, this week led the @Min_TourismKE team to the first-ever World Travel & Tourism Council Le…

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

It was such a great honour for me to lead the team that represented Hon. CS and the country at this event.

[CS Rebecca Miano, EGH @rebecca_miano]

This week, World Travel &Tourism Council(WTTC) hosted its first-ever Leadership Cruise , bringing together over 300 leaders from the public and private sector aboard the Crystal Serenity.

🇪🇬 Egypt was the perfect setting , a nation that has turned resilience into results, with Travel & Tourism contributing USD $34.4bn to GDP and welcoming 19 million visitors in 2025 alone.

Globally, the sector now contributes $11.6 trillion to GDP and supports 366 million jobs ,one in every nine worldwide.

🇰🇪 Kenya is also on a strong growth trajectory, with international arrivals at 2.7 million in 2025 and the sector contributing Ksh.0.5 Trillion to GDP, reinforcing its role as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.

Kenya’s participation in this leadership Forum provided a strategic platform to strengthen global partnerships, attract investment, and enhance its visibility as a competitive and future-ready tourism destination, while also enabling the country to benchmark best practices in tourism development, innovation, and sustainability.
#WTTC2026

[WTTC @WTTC]

⚓️Day 1 of the @WTTC Leadership Cruise 2026 is over - and the conversations have only just begun.

A programme filled with bold leadership perspectives and insightful discussions on recovery, connectivity, and the future of travel.

#WTTC #LeadershipEvent #Egypt

@GGuevaraM @PeterSGreenberg @MariaRamosUK
@mauriciomacri @EduardoPBraun @AudreyHendley
@MTourismEgypt @ExperienceEgypt @crystalcruises
@AKTravel_

[WTTC @WTTC]

This week, @WTTC hosted its first-ever Leadership Cruise - bringing together over 300 leaders from the public and private sector aboard the Crystal Serenity.

🇪🇬 Egypt was the perfect setting. A nation that has turned resilience into results - with Travel & Tourism contributing USD $34.4bn to GDP and welcoming 19 million visitors in 2025 alone.

Globally, the sector now contributes $11.6 trillion to GDP and supports 366 million jobs - one in every nine worldwide.

Leadership in action 🌍

Read more: https://t.co/ebuXa1ACev

#WTTC #LeadershipEvent #TravelAndTourism @crystalcruises @EGPresidency_AR @TourismandAntiq @ExperienceEgypt

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

I join you Waziri Hon. Rebecca Miano @rebecca_miano in congratulating Hon. Najib Balala @tunajibu on appointment to the position of Executive Vice President at WTTC in charge of Government Affairs, Advocacy, and Research. WTTC just got the right man for the job. Hon. Balala's energy, strategic leadership, networks and passion to grow tourism is just what WTTC needed as it looks into a new era of accelerating the contribution of tourism to the global economy and to humanity's quality of life.
Hongera Hon. Balala and may God grant you even more wisdom for the role.

[CS Rebecca Miano, EGH @rebecca_miano]

It was a distinct pleasure connecting with former Tourism Minister, Hon. Najib Balala, to discuss the future of Kenya’s vibrant tourism and wildlife sectors.

I am thrilled to formally congratulate him on his recent appointment as the Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, Advocacy, and Research at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). To have a Kenyan leader at the helm of such a prestigious global body is a testament to our nation's influence in the global travel landscape.

Our conversation centered on driving the growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of our tourism industry. The Ministry is looking forward to exploring a structured partnership with WTTC to leverage global research, attract elite investors, and ensure Kenya remains a top-tier global destination.
Congratulations once again, Najib! We are proud to see you fly the Kenyan flag high on the world stage 🇰🇪.

[State Department for Tourism Kenya @TourismKE_]

Tourism Secretary for @TourismKE_, @dgitonga18 today represented the Cabinet Secretary for @Min_TourismKE, @rebecca_miano EGH in delivering remarks during the @FuturHospSummit Africa.

@FuturHospSummit Africa remains the leading hospitality investment platform in Africa, driving the conversations, creating opportunities, and building partnerships that shape the future of Africa’s tourism economy.

As we proudly host this Summit for the fifth time, this milestone stands as a testament to the global confidence in our leadership in the tourism and investment sector, as well as the resilience and growth of our hospitality sector.

Through targeted sectoral reforms, improved investor facilitation, and strategic infrastructure development such as the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Kenya remains committed to its position as a competitive hub for tourism, trade, and investment.

With our sights set firmly on the future, with a focus on sustainability, diversification, and high-value tourism markets such as MICE, cultural tourism, and ecotourism, we remain committed to unlocking new opportunities, job creation for our youth, and building the next generation of destinations.

Together, through partnerships and platforms such as the @FuturHospSummit Africa, we remain committed to shaping the future where Africa’s hospitality sector does not only grow, but leads the way globally.

#FutureHospitalitySummit
@Min_TourismKE
@MagicalKenya

[David G. Gitonga @dgitonga18]

In our interactions, I always was amazed by Carolyn's passion for the preservation and promotion of our national heritage. She never tired in ensuring NMK products and experiences were mainstreamed in the magical Kenya brand. It went way beyond duty and the loss will be felt by many.
Rest in peace my sister and pole sana to the family.

[National Museums of Kenya @museumsofkenya]

We honor the life and legacy of Carolyn Akariza Nduba-Mwenda.
Her work and spirit will remain part of NMK. 🤍🕊️