NAIROBI: A recent New York Times article listed the Maasai Mara as one of the prime places to visit in Africa. The author strikingly described his safari experience, ‘that’s what it’s like going on safari in Kenya: You’re visiting the animals’ turf, on their terms.’ He described how together with his wife, they were blessed with the dreamlike experience of watching an elephant grazing right near their tent, in the dead of the night.
Because we have them, we often take our wildlife for granted. Yet we are one of the few countries in the world where you can actually watch a variety of animals in their very own vast natural homes.
These creatures are the natural magnets that attract people from all over the world. For years, tourism has given Kenya billions of shillings. In 2013, tourism earned our country Sh93.9 billion, down by 2.1 two per cent from the 96 billion earned in 2012. The billions generated in 2013 came from 1.09 million visitors while those who visited us in 2012 were 1.23 million.
Although this is still a far cry from the golden tourism years of the 80s, 90s and the first decade of the new millennium, it is clear that when millions visit our country, they spend billions.
They spend this money in hotels, tour firms and markets that employ thousands.
Kenyans can benefit even more if we increasingly embrace ecotourism, which has been described by the International Eco-tourism Society as ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.’ In this regard, the people around our national parks and game reserves must be the primary tourism beneficiaries if they are to unfailingly play an active role in conserving our wildlife.
Through eco-tourism, we will be able to empower our people economically and protect our wild animals. It is time for our tourism to swallow a double dose of innovation by walking briskly down the eco-tourism path.
For every dollar that a tourist spends in that hotel, at least half a dollar should be spent directly on the ordinary people have lived next to wild animals for centuries.
This is a win-win that doesn’t mean that hospitality investors must be bled dry in order to quench the economic thirst of Africans. It simply means that our tourism eco-system must re-invent so that it provides incentives for tourists to spend more dollars beyond their hotels and safaris.
Although this already happens to a small extent when tourists visit neighbouring Maasai villages, I suggest that it be expanded drastically. Locals are the natural wardens of our wildlife, investing in them equals to a spectacular green future.
Think green, act green!
