Hall of Fame Series: Resilience Award Winner: GTRCMC - Eastern Africa
The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa (GTRCMC-EA), was presented with the Resilience Award sponsored by HBX during the Global Tourism & Travel Resilience Council Hall of Fame Awards in London. This award recognises the Centre’s exceptional work in promoting tourism resilience and crisis management, specifically its commitment to supporting Eastern Africa’s tourism sector in navigating challenges and fostering sustainable development.
The Centre, established in 2019, has made significant strides in equipping Eastern Africa’s tourism industry with tools and strategies for resilience. Its contributions, such as launching the Paid Internships Abroad Programme, developing a digital tourism inventory, and supporting crisis management efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been pivotal in fortifying the tourism sector across fourteen countries in the region. The Centre also spearheaded the creation of Harmonized Sustainability Standards for East Africa, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices in the tourism industry.
What is coming next for
GTRCMC - Eastern Africa?
Advancing Higher Education for Tourism Resilience and Development:
The 3IS Project in Eastern Africa
Education is not just a pathway to personal and professional growth; it is also a cornerstone for building resilient communities and sustainable development. In Eastern Africa, the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa (GTRCMC-EA) is championing this cause through the 3IS Project -Inclusive, Impactful, and Integrated Higher Education. This ambitious initiative is set to transform underserved regions of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, aligning educational innovation with regional resilience and tourism development.
What is the 3IS Project?
The 3IS Project aims to elevate higher education standards in Eastern Africa’s remote areas, such as Garissa and Turkana in Kenya, as well as regions in Somalia and Ethiopia. These areas, often overlooked, are brimming with potential to become hubs of innovation, education, and economic growth. By integrating internationalisation, inclusiveness, academic excellence, community engagement, and regional collaboration, the project seeks to:
Empower educators and administrators with advanced skills.
Improve employability for graduates in competitive sectors.
Foster collaboration between local communities, universities, and industries.
Create sustainable educational frameworks tailored to local contexts.
Funded by the European Union with a €360,042 grant under the ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE-STRAND-1 program, the 3IS Project is coordinated by the University of Girona in Spain and involves key partners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Greece.
Kick off Conference: Laying the Foundation for Transformation
The project officially launched with a kick off conference on March 7–8, 2024, hosted by GTRCMC-EA in Kenya. This pivotal event brought together project leads and partners to discuss capacity building, establish relationships, and chart the path for impactful implementation.
The Addis Ababa Conference: Advancing Inclusiveness in Higher Education
Building on the momentum from the kick off, the project held its second conference from May 21–24, 2024, at the University of Gondar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With inclusiveness as the central theme, the event convened stakeholders to explore strategies for equitable and accessible education systems.
Why the 3IS Project Matters
By focusing on education, the 3IS Project addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Eastern Africa, including unemployment, social inequality, and instability. Its integrative approach aligns with GTRCMC-EA’s broader mission of fostering innovation, peace, and development in the region.
Through initiatives like capacity-building workshops, inclusive curricula, and regional partnerships, the project is not only building educational resilience but also paving the way for economic growth and stability. This alignment with tourism development further underscores the role of education in creating thriving, self-sufficient communities.
Looking Ahead
As the 3IS Project progresses, it promises to redefine higher education in Eastern Africa. With its focus on internationalisation, inclusiveness, and innovation, the initiative is poised to transform lives, stabilise regions, and unlock economic potential. Through collaboration, creativity, and commitment, the 3IS Project serves as a beacon of hope for underserved communities, demonstrating the power of education to drive sustainable development.
Two more events will take place in Garissa and Turkana in Kenya in May 2025 and a final one in Ethiopia in December 2025.