Yesterday, I had the pleasure of participating in a compelling and deeply insightful panel at Strathmore University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality, focused on how AI and Digital Marketing are transforming Kenya’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
The event—hosted at the Microsoft Auditorium—was themed “Optimizing MarTech as a Strategic Tool for Business Success.” I joined a dynamic panel alongside Kevin Omondi (Founder, DotNext), Ronald Okumu (CEO, AI Connect), and hospitality industry veteran Tony Muiruri, with the discussion expertly moderated by Joe Owako.
This wasn’t your typical academic event. It was raw, real, and filled with meaningful dialogue from both the panelists and a diverse audience. From influencer marketing to predictive analytics, we unpacked how hospitality players in Kenya must urgently adopt smarter, AI-driven strategies to stay competitive.
What We Discussed
- AI Is Not the Future—It’s Now
Ronald made it clear: AI is already driving real outcomes in hospitality—lowering costs, improving guest engagement, and powering dynamic pricing models. But Kenya’s slow adoption is often due to leadership hesitation, talent gaps, and legacy thinking. - Digital Marketing Without Brand Strategy Is Noise
Kevin highlighted how AI has made content creation easier—but that also means there’s more noise. He stressed the importance of differentiation, brand storytelling, and personalised engagement. If you’re not clear on who you are, you get sorted by price. - CRM Systems = Long-Term Value
Tony offered a masterclass on CRM as a driver of customer lifetime value. With AI-powered tools, hoteliers can map customer preferences, automate communication, and build lasting relationships beyond one-time bookings. - AI Won’t Kill Agencies—Stagnation Will
As someone running a digital agency, I shared a candid truth: agencies must evolve. AI should automate the busywork and free up teams to deliver more strategic value. The future agency is faster, smarter, and outcome-driven—not just billing by the hour. - The Audience Had Questions We All Needed to Hear
One moment stood out. A young influencer questioned why hotels are still investing in massive billboards instead of content creators who bring real engagement. Another hotel marketer pointed out that management culture often lags behind modern consumer behaviour—and therein lies the challenge.
This wasn’t a one-way panel. It was a genuine exchange of ideas, frustrations, and opportunities between experts and practitioners across the room.
