Tourism in Kenya Case Study

Question 1

What is the basic information?

Answer 1

With its unique wildlife and desirable climate Kenya has become a tourist destination for wealthy visitors.
Over 1.8 million people visited the country on holiday in 2011.

Question 2

What are the benefits of tourism?

Answer 2

• Tourism directly employs over 600 000 people in Kenya (10% of all workers)
• Now contributes over 12% of the nation’s GDP, allowing greater development
• Since 2000 Kenya’s score on the HDI has increased from 0.45 to 0.55, many put this down to increased incomes from tourism
• The nation’s 24 national parks charge entry fees to tourists. This generates money to pay for the upkeep of the parks and so protects the wildlife
• Boosts literacy rates as workers are often educated, especially with language skills, helping them in their futures
• Increases access to clean water and medical facilities as these need to be available for the tourists
• Generates greater income from visas and airport taxes, despite these recently being halved to encourage more visitors.

Question 3

What are the problems of tourism?

Answer 3

• Only a small proportion of the money goes to locals. Most goes to large companies which are often based in HICs
• Some tribes have been forced from their land to accommodate hotels or other tourism related facilities
• Tourist vehicles used during the safaris damage vegetation and disturb animals
• Now has 1.8 million visitors per year and cannot expand much further due to a lack of infrastructure and lack of people willing to pay the high price
• Not necessarily a sustainable industry to rely on. Political tensions recently have put visitors off Kenya (though put them off other places e.g. Tunisia more).
• Many see safari as a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience so may eventually run out of a market to sell the trips to