CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LMP CLASS OF JANUARY 2018

Ecotourism Kenya would like to congratulate the graduates of the January 2018 Leadership and Mentorship Program. The three day program trained students on  Tourism Enterprise Development within Community Based Tourism Organization, Digital Marketing skills. as well  practical professional skills.The second part of the program was an intricate placement program within leading sustainable tourism organizations, Community Based Organizations and Tour Operators where students will gain practical work experience. The next intake is in May 2018, for more information contact Anthony on 0726 366080.

BIG WIN FOR KENYA!

Great news for Kenya as the tourism receipts were released earlier this month. Despite the long and feared election period, Kenya managed to come out strong by posting a Kshs 120 Billion in revenue in 2017.The total international arrivals went up to 9.8%.  The United States of America emerged as Kenya’s top tourism source market by contributing above 11% of all international arrivals. Other notable nations are The United Kingdom at 11.1%, India at 6.2% and a fifth China at 5.5% respectively. The domestic tourism market was not left behind as it contributed over 4 million bed nights in 2017. This is a 15.9% growth. Regionally Uganda stand as Kenya’s third largest source market contributing 6.4% of all international arrivals. Numbers like this not only show the massive potential for growth in tourism this year but can be used as an indicator for tourism investment in the country.

LOSS OF A HERO

Famed Wildlife Trade Researcher Esmond Bradley Martin died tragically on 4th of February 2018.The 75-year-old is renown for infiltrating high level of criminal organization dealing in elephant tusks and rhino horns respectively. Recently, his work is believed to have influenced Hong Kong to vote for the ban of ivory trade. The one time UN special envoy for rhino conservation, first came to East Africa in the early 1970s, following a sharp decrease in the elephant population in the region then.

THE ELEPHANT MAN

Jim Justus Nyamu is an elephant research scientist different from all others. He is the leader of The Elephant Neighbors Centre and an avid activist against elephant poaching. So far, he has covered 5000km across East Africa and across town in Europe in support of this cause. This year, he plans a grass root campaign walk from Nairobi to South Africa in May 2018. In 160 days he plans to cover 4200km.The aim of this walk will be to map the elephant movement from East South Africa; and to lobby for a common approach in ending poaching from this region.