Communities
and Tourism
The Community Outreach Program is one among the key program areas of Ecotourism Kenya. The aim of the program is threefold:
(i) to integrate communities and community-based tourism into mainstream tourism in Kenya;
(ii) to build capacity for local people to more effectively engage with tourism issues;
(iii) to explore ideas for tourism involvements in their areas.
The ultimate goal is for an equitable distribution of the benefits that accrue from community-based tourism enterprises. Our work involves;
· Community mobilization; participatory trainings, seminars, workshops and sharing of information through the quarterly newsletter and monthly e-letter;
· Community advisory services on product development, packaging, fundraising, etc;
· Promotion of community based, owned and/ or managed tourism enterprises.
Ecotourism Kenya has realized that many community-based tourism enterprises exist in the country, and are at various stages of development. We have compiled a database of these from field visits, surveys and contacts with other organizations engaged in community development work in Kenya. For details of different Kenyan communities and their ecotourism initiatives, click here.
Community Mobilization
Over the past years, we have been involved in community mobilization through regional workshops, debates and seminars in Kenya. Between November 2004 and May 2006, we conducted a total of eight regional workshops creating awareness on ecotourism and identifying challenges and gathering possible solutions.
As a follow up mechanism, we have rolled out regional training programmes in 2007 that are explicitly designed to meet the needs and enhance the skills of local communities involved in community-based tourism enterprises. For details on training workshops click on resources section or contact communities@ecotourismkenya.org
Community Advisory Services
This involves community advisory services on product development, packaging and market access. In 2003-2005 with support from United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Ecotourism Kenya played a key role in supporting two community groups to develop and package their products in Uaso Cultural Centre in Samburu and Isechano Banda’s in Kakamega forest.
Promotion of Community-Based Tourism Enterprises
This we do by proactive marketing and promotion of tourism enterprises run by communities or local individuals in our website, flayers and newsletter. We also support and coordinate with activities of others, such as NGOs and donors, who are promoting community-based tourism enterprises.
To access a database of all community-based tourism (CBT) enterprises in Kenya, click here
Feature Community
Mt. Suswa Conservation Trust
Experience Adventure Caving, Mountain Climbing & Wild Camping in Mt. Suswa Caves.
The unique geological features of Mt Suswa and potential visitor attractions are the extensive network of accessible lava caves, and stunning sunken ‘crater within a crater’ with a central island of pristine tropical forest of immeasurable biodiversity and ecological interests. Birds native to this part of East Africa are in abundance, viewed nesting and soaring along the steep walls of the inner raft. Baboon troops camp in the caves at night. Giraffe, zebra and gazelle casually graze the volcano slopes. Occasionally elephant pass along the migratory route fromAmboseli to the Mara. It has distinct insect species, rare bat colonies and inhabited by carnivores such as leopard. The caves are also believed to be one of the historic dwelling sites for the Kenyan Mau Mau fighters during the colonial era. The ecological significance of the caves has been a source of many studies and scientific papers.
Mt. Suswa Conservation Trust is a Member of Ecotourism Kenya |
