Tourism

Question 1

What factors help explain the growth in tourism?

Answer 1

• More affluence - since 1950 people have become wealthier. There is more disposable income. People also now have paid time off work for holidays.
• Greater awareness - through advertising or television programmes people are more aware of how and where they can spend their free time.
• More car ownership - more families own a car. This gives greater freedom to choose when and where to spend time.
• Improvements in technology - travelling today is much quicker. Motorways and aircraft have helped reduce the time it takes to get to different countries. Travelling by air has become more accessible as you can book on-line and choose more budget options.
• More leisure time - people have paid holidays from work (on average three weeks per year are paid). Also, people who are retired remain active for longer. There is also a trend to take more than one holiday in a year.
• More choice - in the past seaside holidays and package holidays were the most popular. The industry is seeing more people look at ecotourism and more unusual holiday destinations.

Question 2

Def. Mass Tourism

Answer 2

What happens when there are large numbers of people who go on holiday to the same resort, usually at the same time of year.
Usually, tourists will have purchased a package deal that includes flights, transfers and accommodation.

Question 3

Def. Leakage

Answer 3

The phenomenon where the vast majority of tourism revenue leaks out of the local economy and into the pockets of big international companies.

Question 4

Def. Multiplier Effect

Answer 4

The introduction of a new industry or the expansion of an existing industry in an area also encourages growth in other sectors, e.g. introduction of services

Question 5

What are the positive social impacts of Tourism?

Answer 5

• Tourists learn about culture and traditions
• Infrastructure is improved such as roads, public transport and airports which benefits local people as well as tourists
• Tourism revenue can be invested in improving local education, health and other services

Question 6

What are the positive economic impacts of Tourism?

Answer 6

• Tourism creates jobs for local people in Kenya and people learn new skills in tourism services and construction
• Tourists like to see cultural shows by Maasai warriors and will pay good money for it
• Demand for locally produced souvenirs

Question 7

What are the positive environmental impacts of Tourism?

Answer 7

• Tourists see beautiful landscapes & wildlife and they are educated about the importance of fragile ecosystems
• National Parks have been created which improves environmental protection

Question 8

What are the negative social impacts of Tourism?

Answer 8

• Kenyan people living in the National Parks have been forced to leave their homes
• Important projects for local communities might be side-lined as infrastructure developments are focused on tourists
• Zooification of Maasai culture

Question 9

What are the negative economic impacts of Tourism?

Answer 9

• The cost of living for local people rises
• Low paid seasonal jobs
• Profits can often go to foreign companies, such as tour operators and hotel chains, rather than to the local community (known as economic leakage)
• Foreign companies may bring foreign workers to do the skilled jobs; so local people only do low skilled, poorly paid work

Question 10

What are the negative environmental impacts of Tourism?

Answer 10

• Animals can get put off feeding, drinking and mating if there are minibuses very close
• Minibus drivers get good tips if they drive off the paths and get really close to the animals
• Lots of minibuses driving on the dirt tracks can create lots of dust/mud and soil erosion
• Vegetation is cleared to make way for big hotels
• Hot air balloons have loud gas burners which make a lot of noise

Question 11

Def. Multiplier Effect

Answer 11

The ‘snowballing’ of economic activity. e.g. If new jobs are created, people who take them have money to spend in the shops, which means that more shop workers are needed.

Question 12

Def. Wildlife tourism

Answer 12

Wildlife tourism is interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat

Question 13

Def. Cultural Tourism

Answer 13

Cultural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s main aim is to learn, discover, experience and consume cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination.

Question 14

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Describe the location of Kenya and the types of tourism available there

Answer 14

• Kenya is a county in east Africa
• It is a good location for wildlife tourism, such as safari tourism. This is because it has a savanna environment with iconic wildlife that tourists would like to encounter.
• Kenya also has an indigenous tribal group for the Maasai. Many people who go on a Safari holiday like to visit the Maasai people and learn about their lifestyles. This is cultural tourism.

Question 15

What are the Human and Physical Attractions in the Massai Mara?

Answer 15

• In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, and the African buffalo. Tourists want to encounter them in safaris
• The Maasai tribal group are nomadic cattle herders. Tourists like to visit the Maasai to learn about their lifestyles.
• Many tourists travel to Kenya to experience the savanna environment.
• When tourists go on a Kenyan safari, they stay in a safari camp in the savanna environment.

Question 16

What are the positive enviromental impacts of Tourism in the Massai Mara?

Answer 16

• Anti-poaching patrols are set up to protect the wildlife, as it is one of the attracting factors for tourism
• Tourists see beautiful landscapes, wildlife such as elephants and plants. They can also be educated about the dangers to fragile ecosystems in the modern world.
• The money made from tourism can be spent on improving the environment.
• Kenya has 24 National Parks protect and conserve the environment, as there is economic value in protecting wildlife

Question 17

What are the negative enviromental impacts of Tourism in the Massai Mara?

Answer 17

• Minibus drivers lure animals with food which makes them more dependent on humans for their food supply
• Overcrowding can ruin the experience for tourists and disturb the animals
• Animals become desensitized to human in their environment which can create greater risks e.g., from poachers.
• Lots of minibuses driving on the dirt tracks can create lots of dust/mud and soil erosion.
• Hot air balloons have loud gas burners which make a lot of noise, whic disturb wildlife

Question 18

What are the positive impacts of tourism in the Massai Mara?

Answer 18

1. Tourists like to see cultural shows by Maasai warriors and will pay good money for it
2. Local infrastructure is improved as water and sanitation facilities, roads, buses, taxis and airports are provided for tourists.
3. Tourists see beautiful landscapes, wildlife such as elephants and plants. They can also be educated about the dangers to fragile ecosystems in the modern world.
4. The Kenyan government loves tourism - foreign currency spent by tourists can be invested in improving local education, health and other services
5. Tourism creates jobs for local people in Kenya and people can learn new skills in tourism services and construction
6. Visitors get an insight into local customs and traditions.

Question 19

What are the negative impacts of tourism in the Massai Mara?

Answer 19

1. Foreign companies may bring foreign workers to do the skilled jobs; so local people only do low skilled, poorly paid work.
2. Important projects for local communities might be side lined as infrastructure developments are focused on tourists.
3. Pollution and disruption to wildlife habitats could occur if tourism isn’t sustainable.
4. Profits can often go to foreign companies, such as tour operators and hotel chains, rather than to the local community.
5. Coastal Environments such as those in Mombasa have been damaged by tourism e.g. destruction of coral reefs as tourists step on the coral and also take souvenirs
6. The Maasai have been forced off their land to make way for tourism developments and national parks. This changes their traditional way of life and livelihood (nomadic cattle herding).

Question 20

What are the negative social and environental impacts of Tourism in the Massai Mara?

Answer 20

• ## Increased demand for locally produced souvenirs

Question 21

Def. Sustainable Tourism

Answer 21

Tourism attempting to have a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people.

Question 22

What is the aim of sustainable tourism?

Answer 22

To ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves.

Question 23

Def. Eco-tourism

Answer 23

A type of sustainable tourism. It can be defined as tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people.

Question 24

What are the attractions for visiting Kenya?

Answer 24

• Opportunity to experience natural beauty in wildlife (Big 5 Safari).
• Seeing the animals in their natural habitat, not in cages in zoos.
• Mt Kenya and the renowned scenery of the Great Rift Valley. The view of Mt. Kilimanjaro across the border into Tanzania.
• Attractions include the culture e.g., the Maasai tribe

Question 25

What are the problems with mass tourism in Kenya?

Answer 25

• Economic – Only 15% of the money earned goes to locals. The rest goes to big companies overseas.
• Social – Maasai tribes people forced to leave land to create National Parks. Zooification of Maasai culture.
• Environmental – Safari buses destroy vegetation and cause soil erosion. Hunting and breeding patterns of animals have changed.

Question 26

What are the benefits of mass tourism in Kenya?

Answer 26

• Economic - Maasai tribes are financially better off as the land is rented from them.
• Social - More Maasai children attend school, Maasai have better healthcare.
• Environmental - Tourists have to pay to get into National Parks. This money is used to maintain the parks, which helps to protect the environment and wildlife.

Question 27

Describe Basecamp Explorer, an example of Eco-tourism

Answer 27

• The main camp has 16 tents (consisting of 32 beds). The camp activities include; day game drives, nature walks, tree-planting.
• In guest rooms furniture is made of Maasai designs, to encourage visitors to learn more about the Maasai culture
• Extensive use of local materials and labour for construction. Buildings can be dismantled and taken away safely – no permanent damage.
• Use of a tree-top wildlife viewing post has reduced the need for game drives
• Extensive use of solar energy. The cooker, water heaters and communication systems are powered by solar energy.
• Garbage is sorted & composted. Has clean and well-fenced garbage disposal and composting areas.
• Waste (grey) water is collected and reused to water plants.
  Use of dry toilets uses less water.
• Have planted an estimated 25,000 trees since 2000, as part of restoring vegetation along the river. Done jointly with the local community.
• A percentage of bed night goes to an education fund that mainly supports girl-child education. Of the 43 staff, 95% are local.