CS Miano reacts as Nairobi makes it to 2025 global travel hotlist
Cabinet Secretary for Wildlife and Tourism, Rebecca Miano, has expressed her excitement after Nairobi was named among the world’s trending travel destinations for 2025.
Taking to her X account on Sunday, May 18, 2025, Miano celebrated the recognition, highlighting it as a major boost to Kenya’s profile as a top-tier global tourist hotspot. She emphasised that the listing reaffirms the country’s growing appeal to international travellers and underlines Nairobi’s unique offerings in culture, wildlife, and urban experiences.
“A big Amen on a Sunday! Nairobi has been listed as a trending travel destination as of 2025, reinforcing Kenya as a premier global tourist destination. @magicalkenya @WilliamsRuto,” she wrote.
The list, released by TripAdvisor, highlights the top destinations based on user feedback over the past year. Nairobi features alongside popular global cities such as Osaka in Japan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Bogota in Colombia, and Manama in Bahrain.
Other destinations include Hong Kong, Lima in Peru, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Medellin in Colombia, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Also on the list are Auckland Central in New Zealand, Singapore, Kyoto in Japan, Doha in Qatar, Seoul in South Korea, Banff in Canada, Casablanca in Morocco, and Giza in Egypt. Jeju Island in South Korea, Santiago in Chile, Johannesburg in South Africa, the Island of Malta, Luzon in the Philippines, and Nairobi, Kenya, round out the trending destinations.
Nairobi
Nairobi has earned international praise in recent years for its mix of urban life and natural beauty. In 2024, Lonely Planet named Nairobi the world’s best city to visit in its “Best in Travel 2024” list. The Kenyan capital beat cities like Paris and Montreal, becoming the only African city in the top ten.
Lonely Planet applauded Nairobi’s vibrant culture, lively food scene, and growing arts landscape. Tourists are especially drawn to unique attractions like Nairobi National Park, which sits within the city limits, the colourful Maasai Market, and cultural hubs like the Bomas of Kenya.
In 2018, TripAdvisor named it the third-best global destination on the rise, following Ishigaki in Japan and Kapaa in Hawaii. The ranking was driven by a surge in positive reviews and bookings.
TripAdvisor praised Nairobi for its exciting nightlife, diverse food options, and proximity to wildlife spots such as the Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Park.
