ECOTOURISM IN KENYA

Background The name of the project is called ‘Propoor Tourism’ Propoor tourism is an enlightening, participatory travel experience to environments, both natural and cultural, that ensures the sustainable use, at an appropriate level, of environmental resources Also, producing viable economic opportunities for the tourism industry and host communities, makes the use of these resources through conservation beneficial to all tourism role players.

Objectives To address the various social problems in Kenya such as youth unemployment, gender inequality, poverty, environmental degradation and human- wildlife conflict. Increase the potential for tourism to deliver pro- poor growth by offering significant benefits to the poorest people. Improve the coordination between the efforts of various stakeholders in Kenya's travel and tourism industry in order to maximize the potential to support pro-poor tourism.

Areas of Work There are five main areas of work: 1. HIV/AIDS Transmission Through Tourism Prevention Program (HATP) 2. Pro-poor African Curio Trade (PROACT) 3. Economic Wildlife Enterprise Business (ECOWEB) 4. African Conservation Education (ACE) 5. Fair International Tourism Trade (FIT)

HIV/AIDS Transmission Through Tourism Prevention Program (HATP) Their role is to promote safer sex and the use and spread of condoms around Kenya. Also to encourage people to get tested early for STI’s and to educate them on the matter. Pro-poor African Curio Trade (PROACT) ● The program is aimed at addressing the problems facing the rural marginalised communities, namely; poverty, youth unemployment and gender inequality through the selling of souvenirs made by these communities.

Economic Wildlife Enterprise Business (ECOWEB) Consists of motivating the locals to live hormoniously with the wildlife. Also to lobby the communities to embark on community based projects through which they can earn direct returns from accommodating wildlife. For example the clash between the lions of the Maasai Mara national park and the cattle belonging to the Maasai people living there. At present ECOWEB are trying to sort the problem out.

African Conservation Education (ACE) ACE lets young people and their educators learn more about the natural world we live in. Emphasizing wildlife because of its intrinsic and ecological values, as well as its importance as a basis for teaching how ecosystems function. Fair International Tourism Trade (FIT) ● FIT is concerned with ensuring that the people, whose land, natural resources, labour, knowledge and cultural heritage are used for the tourism business, actually receive tangible benefits from this multi-billion industry.

Conclusion To conclude, the propoor tourism project in Kenya is beneficial to the local communities, to education and to the environment.

BY OLIVER KNIGHT