Saturday 17 August 2013

Sustainability in Tourism

SUSTAINABILITY
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       The Notion of Sustainability
Sustainability in tourism is more than putting your ‘green’ credentials on display.Sustainability in tourism also involves economic and social aspects. Economic sustainability should need no explanation; all the modules in this online series have been designed to improve economic sustainability. The notion of social and cultural sustainability is less obvious; ie. the role that tourism plays in local communities; its integration with the needs and aspirations of residents and its enhancement of natural and social heritage.

“Maintaining and projecting an attractive tourism destination is largely dependent on three factors: positive destination image and experience, safety and security, and, fundamentally, the overall environmental quality. On this basis, the role of local government can have a profound influence on the success of its local tourism industry, and plays a part in conserving the very asset on which its future depends”.
Moreover, it states that the tourism industry is in an excellent position to build public “…awareness of sustainability issues because of its considerable interaction  between the visitor, tourism operators, as well as the environment and host community, also provides opportunities for local government to contribute to sustainable tourism.”

The 12 key principles of Sustainable Tourism.
1. Being different
Achieving a clear sense of difference from other competing destinations. This can be achieved by basing tourism development and marketing on the inherent attributes and strengths of the destination.
2. Achieving authenticity
The attractions most likely to be successful, and those with the greatest enduring appeal, are those which are genuinely relevant to the history, industry, culture, lifestyle and natural resources of the region.
3. Reflecting community values
The most effective way to ensure authenticity is to understand, conserve and enhance the values of the community. This means representing the past, present and future aspirations of the local community in a living and dynamic way, rather than ‘embalming’ the past.
4. Understanding and targeting the market
Understanding the broad market trends and the needs of specific segment(s) is critical. This involves the development of specialised products based on the inherent attributes of an area.
5. Enhancing the experience
People’s motivation to travel is ‘change’ – to seek something they cannot experience at home. The ‘bundling’ of attributes enhances the appeal of a place, and the likelihood of visitation. This achieves a greater choice of accessible things for the visitor to see and do and a greater critical mass for economic viability
6. Adding value
This can include small to medium accommodation facilities, small-scale sales outlets, eating and other hospitality services in association with established industries (eg wine growing, aquaculture, food production etc). This adds to the experience of visitors and helps to diversify the local economy.
7. Respecting natural and cultural values
Sustainable tourism development derives its form, character, operation and appeal from these qualities, and in doing so adds to the special nature of the destination. Tourism should also aim to reduce its ‘ecological footprint’, where practical, in terms of resource use and other broader impacts
8. Achieving conservation outcomes
A mutually beneficial alliance can be achieved between the economics of tourism and conservation. That is, through understanding and enjoyment comes greater appreciation and empathy, advocacy and protection for the resource.
9. Having good ‘content (telling the story)
Tourism development can interpret (present and explain) natural, social, historic and ecological features. Telling the story provides a rewarding experience for the visitor and helps to conserve the destination.
10. Achieving excellence and innovation in design
Good design respects the resource, achieves conservation outcomes, reflects community values, and is instrumental in telling the story. It should also invoke an emotional response from the visitor by creating a relatively authentic experience.
11. Providing mutual benefits to visitors and hosts
Tourism is primarily encouraged as an economic and community development tool. It is not encouraged for its own sake. For tourism to be successful, it must take into account the benefits that both the host community and the visitor seek. Only when the local community is a willing host is tourism likely to present a welcoming face, grow and be sustainable.
12. Building a local capacity
Successful tourism businesses are not isolated from their community, but collaborate with other businesses and stakeholders to build a positive and self-sufficient capacity within the destination and beyond.

Thursday 25 July 2013

Tourism in Kenya.



Tourism is a wide ranging phenomenon and whilst certain operators such as
hotels, companies involved in transportation and all other facets of tourism have
specific objectives relating to their areas of interest, no one group has the overall
interest of the total industry at heart. Brown and Essex (1989) state that policies
are relevant to both the public and private tourism sectors. Policies in the public
sector are more concerned with the benefits of tourism for the community and
have to play a more strategic/coordinating/leadership role in the development of
tourism. In the private sector, policies are designed to give corporate direction for
a profit motive, and as such are opportunistic. 

Tourism policies have evolved from three distinct phases of development. The first phase, evident prior to the 1960s, took a laissez faire attitude towards tourism focusing on specific markets and sites with little regard to the wider implication of proposals or projects.This phase was referred to as 'hard' tourism. During the second phase, from the 1960s onwards, the social implications of tourism were recognised, hence the name 'soft
tourism'. Phase three is a blend of 'hard' and 'soft' tourism and in this phase the
public sector actively encourages the private sector to invest in tourism.
 
Overall resources are generally limited, and competing priorities between groups of users may interfere with a rational allocation process.
Therefore, the primary function of governments has to be to create the right
economic environment in which the private sector can fully participate and to
remove unnecessary controls, restrictions and burdens.
Tourism policy issues reflect not only economic considerations but also socio-cultural and environmental concerns as well, as shown in. These economic,socio-cultural and environmental concerns impact on the government structure, legal considerations as well as external relations.

Wednesday 12 June 2013


Safaricom Lewa Marathon
 
It was recognized that it was impossible to work to protect and conserve wildlife without forming a partnership with local people.A partnership was made with the surrounding communities to show that the conflict between wildlife and human populations need to exist.Wildlife can co-exist with mankind,just as it has in this area for centuries.
By benefiting from the wildlife conservancy tourist and conservation project,the local samburu and Ngwesi communities have been able to develop and support clinics,agriculture,women's groups and school.turning the human wildlife conflict into a partnership has been a great success,and throughout the Laikipia area,increasing areas of ranch land are being turned  back to the wildlife with local people reaping direct benefit.
the marathon is the greatest example of the partnership in action a single event that benefits the local people the international athletes that gather for the race each year. 
The day before the race,competitors gather at Lewa,staying in a series of camps and a specially erected tent village created by Safaricom.The race is a great attraction for the local communities who both participate and spectate.
 Accomodation:

Self -catering Campsite.
It costs ksh.2000per person per night(children between age (5-1) years ksh.1000.children under 5yrs free.The campsite is equipped with water points,cold showers,firewood and long drop loos.Competitors and spectators wishing to use the campsite are required to bring all the camping equipment and food for the duration of their stay.

Safaricom village.
At the safaricom village one pays  ksh 6500 per night sharing.Children between 5-12yrs pay ksh 3250 sharing with parents,Meals are served in a spacious semi open mess with buffet area.Nyama choma party is inclusive for all those staying in the village.A wide selection of drinks is available at the cash bar.

How to get to Lewa wildlife conservancy

By air:Air Charter,Safarilink US$130 single, US$200 return
   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Friday 17 May 2013

Olepolos Country Club.




olepolos villas


Outside the tented restaurant
If there was ever a home of ‘Nyama Choma’, then Olepolos would be it.
The roast meat did not take noticeably long to be brought; yet you could tell that the kitchen hadn’t rushed the order.
Yummy, delicious and exquisite are all words that can be used to describe the nyama choma served. Truth be told, the meat was gobbled up within a very short time- maybe because of the cold breeze, maybe not; don't be left out.
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 A word from  Ms. CEO

Shangingi Tours and Travel

We present the magnificence of East Africa and its wild in the best using the fair trade in business approaches. We have years of experience in travelling across the region and we are fully equipped to offer you best of East African Experiences. East Africa Tourism offers a number of possibilities for theme tours and authentic eco-tourism, such as culture East Africa tours, voluntourism, Luxury East Africa Tours, Whitesand East African Beaches and Deep sea fishing, wildlife safari tours, Festival Tours , honeymoon tours to East Africa and lots more.
It’s an honor & privilege to introduce our "Travel Agency"
“Shangingi” is one of the handling agents in Nairobi for East Africa destination and specialize for the entire East Africa Tour.
We are based in the Nairobi.
For any further assistance or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Website :www.shangingi.com
Email:info@shangingi.com
Mobile:+254726537716,+254737537716 

 

CEO
 PYHLIS ABIRI