Capping visitors to key parks: Invaluable lessons for State

Zebras crossing the road as tourists enjoy the view during the Kenya wildlife service familiarisation tour for media journalists to have a deeper insight of the park ahead of the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Nairobi National park. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The Tourism and Wildlife Ministry has proposed capping the number of visitors to some national parks.

But does this make economic sense? The parks where capping could apply include Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Nairobi and Amboseli. They are among the most popular with both local and foreign tourists. The ministry probably has two objectives: to reduce environmental degradation due to the high number of visitors and also raise revenues.