CS Miano opens public review for new 2025 tourism enterprise regulations
By Kiprono Keileb, July 29, 2025The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has initiated a public consultation process for the proposed Tourism (Tourism Enterprises) Regulations, 2025, marking a significant step in shaping the future of Kenya’s tourism sector.
The announcement, made by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano in a government newspaper dated Tuesday, July 29 2025, invites stakeholders and the general public to review and provide feedback on the draft regulations within the next 14 days.
The move is part of a regulatory reform drive aimed at aligning tourism operations with current industry standards, addressing emerging challenges, and enhancing service delivery across Kenya’s diverse tourism enterprises. The regulations are being developed through the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), under the guidance of the Tourism Act, 2011, and in compliance with the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013.
According to the notice, the Ministry has already conducted a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to gauge how the proposed changes might affect various tourism players. The RIA is a critical tool in ensuring that any new rules introduced do not impose unnecessary burdens on operators while still meeting regulatory objectives.
Tourism stakeholders, including hotel owners, tour operators, travel agencies, event organisers, and other service providers, are encouraged to carefully review the draft and submit written memoranda outlining their feedback, suggestions, or concerns. The deadline for submission is 14 days from the date of the notice.
The memoranda can be submitted in person at the Tourism Regulatory Authority offices located at Utalii House, 4th Floor, in Nairobi’s Central Business District, during official working hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday). Alternatively, feedback may be sent via email to ris@tra.go.ke.
Shape regulations
The Ministry says the feedback gathered will inform the final shape of the regulations before they are tabled for adoption. While the draft regulations have not yet been made public in full, they are expected to address key licensing procedures, classification of enterprises, operational standards, and compliance mechanisms that will impact how tourism businesses are run countrywide.
The review comes at a time when the tourism industry is slowly rebounding from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, and stakeholders have been calling for clearer, streamlined, and investor-friendly policies that support recovery and growth.
CS Miano has emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive policymaking and upholding constitutional principles of transparency and public participation.
“This consultative phase is a vital part of ensuring that the regulations serve the interests of all stakeholders from entrepreneurs to consumers, and from local communities to international investors,” said a statement from the Ministry.
Once finalised, the 2025 regulations are expected to serve as the primary framework for governing tourism enterprises in Kenya, replacing or updating existing guidelines to reflect the current operational environment and technological advances within the sector.