Geography - Tourism - Mass Tourism - Kenya CASE STUDY

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Kenya CASE STUDY

Background and Attractions

Kenya is in the East of Africa on the equator, bordering Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Sudan and the Indian Ocean.

Its capital city is Nairobi.

It gets around 700,000 visitors per year.

Many people visit due to the fascinating tribal culture and lots of wildlife, including the "Big Five" (rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard). Wildlife Safaris are very popular and there are large game reserves to do these on.

Kenya also has a warm climate with sunshine all year round. It also has beautiful scenery, including savannahs, mountains, forests, beaches and coral reefs.

Reasons for Increase in Tourism

There are greater advancements in long-haul flights as well as these flights becoming cheaper.

There are many more high quality hotels and holiday resorts being built in Kenya in recent times.

There is raised awareness about Kenya and the activities that can be done there.

Positive and Negative Impacts of Tourism

Economic

Tourism contributes 15% of the country's Gross National Product

It accounts for 21% of Foreign Exchange

11% of paid employment comes from tourism

Only 15% of the money earned through tourism goes to locals. The rest goes to big companies.

Social

The culture and customs of the native tribes (eg the Maasai) are preserved because of things like traditional dancing are often displayed for tourists.

Around 220,000 people employed by tourism

Tourism can hep to promote understanding of local history and culture

Local infrastructure and public services are improved

Some tribes people (eg the Maasai tribespeople) are forced off their land to create National Parks for tourists

Some Muslim people in Kenya are offended by the way female tourists dress.

Employment is usually only seasonal and poorly paid

Native tribes are forced to change their life style for tourists and are often exploited for their benefit

Nomadic tribes are forced to make permanent homes

People become over-reliant on tourism for support/income etc as it is a fragile industry

There can be conflict between tourists and locals

Environmental

There are 23 National Parks in Kenya, eg Nairobi National Park. Tourists have to pay entry fees to get in and so this money is used to maintain these National Parks which helps to protect the environment and wildlife

Safari vehicles destroy vegetation and cause soil erosion and disturb the wildlife.

Wild animals are affected eg cheetahs in the most heavily visited areas have changed their hunting behaviour to avoid the crowds

Cora reefs in the Malindi Marine National Park have been damaged by tourist boats anchoring

Pressure is put on natural resources

Reducing the Negative Impacts of Tourism

Walking and horse back tours are being promoted over vehicle safaris to preserve vegetation

Alternate activities that are less damaging than safaris are also being encouraged such as climbing, bungee jumping and white water rafting.

Ways of Maintaining Tourism

Kenya's Tourism board and Ministry of tourism have launched ad-campaigns in Russia called "Magical Kenya" to encourage tourists from the area to visit.

Kenya's wildlife service is planning to build airstrips in Ruma National Park and Mount Elgon National Park to make them more accessible for tourists. It also plans to spend £8 million improving roads, bridges and airstrips to improve accessibility.

Visa fees for adults were cut by 50% in 2009 to make it cheaper to visit the country. They were also scrapped it for under 16's to encourage more families to visit.