Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa Engages Go Places Group To Strengthen Tourism Partnerships

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, Mr. John Ololtuaa, today led a productive engagement with Mrs. Nev Jiwani, Founder and Group Managing Director of Go Places Group, to explore strategic public–private partnerships aimed at leveraging private sector innovation to strengthen tourism promotion, create jobs, and enhance visitor experiences across Kenya.

The discussions focused on aligning government priorities with private sector expertise in destination marketing, strategic communications, and experiential tourism to advance Kenya’s tourism growth agenda and enhance the country’s global competitiveness as a preferred destination.

Mrs. Jiwani is a prominent Kenyan entrepreneur, media professional, and tourism advocate widely recognized for her contributions to the tourism and hospitality sectors in East Africa. She is a leading champion for Women in Tourism, an active member of Skål International Nairobi, and a respected voice in industry advocacy and destination branding.

In recognition of her long-standing impact on the industry, Mrs. Jiwani received the Women of Excellence in Tourism Award in 2022. Through her strong media presence and lifestyle influence, often associated with the brands #ExperienceWithNev #TravelWithNev and #AbsolutelyNev, she continues to play a key role in amplifying tourism narratives and promoting major events such as Nairobi Fashion Week.

Go Places Group is an influential travel and lifestyle brand with a diversified portfolio that includes:

• Go Places, a tourism, hospitality, and marketing agency;

• Go Places Africa DMC, a destination management company specializing in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), which won Kenya’s Leading Destination Management Company at World Travel Awards 2025 and Best Destination Marketing Company at Kenya Tourism Awards 2026;

The Principal Secretary reaffirmed the State Department for Tourism’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with industry leaders to promote innovation, support sustainable tourism development, and unlock new economic opportunities for Kenyans.