By Mr. Festus Mburu and Meshack M. Ngangi, MPRSK | September 12, 2025
The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) had the honor of hosting the 110th edition of the Sustainable Travel and Tourism Africa (STTA) Young Change Makers Inter-University Seminar on September 12th, 2025. The seminar, held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EAT, brought together university students, academics, government officials, and industry leaders under the theme “Unlocking Intra-African Travel for Africa’s Sustainable Tourism Growth.”
Since its establishment in 2017 during the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Young Change Makers program has provided a platform for young leaders to explore sustainable tourism as a viable career path. It has nurtured a generation of champions equipped with critical thinking skills and a strong foundation in sustainable tourism. In recognition of its growing impact, the program was acknowledged in 2024 by UNESCO UNEVOC through the Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) program as an Innovative Learning Practice.
In her keynote address, Judy Gona, Director of STTA Kenya, underscored the importance of transforming tourism students and graduates into purpose-driven professionals. She emphasized the need to seize opportunities available in the tourism industry, highlighting initiatives such as Creative Product Watch and Positive Storytelling through Nomadic Magazine as avenues through which young leaders can build meaningful careers. Her remarks encouraged students to innovate and embrace the responsibility of shaping Africa’s tourism future.
The seminar also featured a presentation by Ms. Susan Mukuhi, Deputy Director of Tourism, Nairobi City County Government, who delivered a compelling case for Nairobi as a leading intra-African travel destination. She highlighted the city’s multicultural identity and positioned it as a hub for regional connectivity, supported by a range of leading tourism events in which CUK has actively participated. Her contribution demonstrated the potential of Nairobi to drive intra-African tourism growth and collaboration.
CUK students Michelle Maina, Maria Ouma, and Valentine distinguished themselves with a moving presentation in which they addressed two critical seminar questions: Who is the typical intra-African tourist, and what motivates their travel choices? and What strengths does Africa already have that can encourage more intra-African travel? Their well-researched and insightful responses reflected not only their academic growth but also their readiness to engage in tourism leadership. Their participation stands as a testament to the resilience and competence cultivated through the university’s tourism programs.
The seminar was moderated by Professor Kihima and Mr. Festus Maina, both of whom are recognized as champions of tourism education at CUK. They guided discussions that engaged delegates from Machakos University, the University of Nairobi, Murang’a University, Nairobi County Government, and STTA Kenya. These exchanges emphasized the critical role of collaboration between universities and industry in strengthening tourism leadership and enhancing the quality of graduates across institutions.
By successfully hosting this edition of the Young Change Makers Inter-University Seminar, the Cooperative University of Kenya reaffirmed its position as a regional leader in tourism education and as a key partner in advancing sustainable tourism development. The event highlighted the value of academic-industry partnerships in fostering innovation, building capacity, and preparing the next generation of professionals to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s tourism sector.
