Tourism in Kenya

Reasons for Tourism in Kenya

Mass tourism from the UK to Kenya, began in late 1980s as larger aircraft meant prices were not much higher than those for holidays in Spain.

Safari Holidays

• National parks

• Game Reserves

Cultural experience

• Local tribes e.g. Maasai

Beach Holidays

Fine sands & coral reefs e.g. Mombasa

Attractive, climate – hot sunshine all year!

Advantages and Disadvantages of tourism in Kenya – which are which?

Tourism encourages building of new roads and better communications.

Tourism has created all round jobs for Kenyans.

Tourism has created a demand for local food from farmers.

Jobs in tourism have helped develop people’s business skills

Most of the jobs are poorly paid and unskilled

A lot of the money paid for holidays, never reaches Kenya (travel companies and foreign owned hotels get it)

Tourism is now Kenya’s biggest earner

Provides money to help keep local customs and culture alive

National parks which have been created help to encourage people to protect the environment

Safari minibuses disturb animals and cause soil erosion.

Hot air balloons disturb animals by casting shadows and the noise of the burner

Many people have been forced out of the National Parks, losing their land and way of life.

Drugs and crime has increased and AIDS is a major problem

Coastal areas damaged, e.g. coral damaged

Sustainable TourismTourism can bring many benefits to an area but can also bring

many problems. In order to ensure that an area continues to benefit from tourism without compromising the environment,

Sustainable Tourism is needed.

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable Tourism is that in which resources are used carefully and wisely and in which the environment is not damaged.

Which of the following is an example of sustainable tourism?

• Buying coral in a souvenir shop

• Looking at wildlife in a national park with a local guide

An example of sustainable tourism: ECOTOURISM

• Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism designed so that the environment and local culture are not damaged.

For Example:• Income from tourism may be used to further manage /

improve the environment• Tourism may help to keep traditions alive / support local

livelihoods• Tourism can help to educate people about the need to look

after the environment etc.

Kigio Conservanc

y

Ecotourism in Kenya

Kigio Conservancy – An example of Ecotourism in Kenya

When and Why set up?

• Set up in 1997 – on an old beef / dairy ranch

• Aim: to provide a wildlife sanctuary and a sustainable eco-tourism destination.

Accommodation

• “cottages” built of mud/timber/thatch using local materials and methods

• furniture built from re-claimed timber from the grounds

• no electricity – oil lamps

Eco-tourism activities:

• Partnerships with local communities

• Links with local schools with schools in UK – raise money for new classrooms and projects (e.g. water tanks)

• Guides and other employees – from local area

• Conservation activities – e.g. looking after orphaned wildlife; relocating giraffes etc.