Community Based Tourism Framework in Kenya Taiko Lemayian KECOBAT Presentation to Ecotourism Kenya's 4 th Annual Conference AMREF Centre 21 st February 2012

LAYOUT  Definitions  Definition  History  Why CBT  Features  Policy, Laws, and Strategies  Recommendations

COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM  “facet of tourism that empowers local residents (often rural, poor and marginalized ) take charge in decision making over tourism development in their areas and work with other stakeholders to develop opportunities for employment, participation in planning, conservation and running of enterprises either collectively, or by local individuals or families”

Background  Hunting in the late 1890’s and in the 70’s  ‘Modern’ CBT been in Kenya for the last 20 years;  Largely driven by conservation agenda;  KWS Community Wildlife Programmes in 1989  Wildlife for Development Fund 1993  Conservation of Biodiversity Resource Area (COBRA) Project ( )  EU Funding of CBTE’s  Conservation of Resources through Enterprise (CORE) Project  TTF ( )  EU/DANIDA Conservation

Why Community Based Tourism  Its an export consumed at the point of production.  is labour intensive offering unique job opportunities to women and the youth who are often sidelines in the market economy;  big multiplier effects,  require low capital,  Low skills and TK  Promotes conservation  is the second leading foreign currency earner for Kenya and is projected to sustain the growth for a while longer;  Need for tourism diversification,  recognized by government as a strategic tool to alleviate poverty and the No.1 vehicle to spearhead Kenya to industrialization in the Strategy 2030’s Economic Pillar;

Features  Categorised broadly into; –Attractions based –Accommodation based –Activity based  Propelled by conservation agenda  Donor cycle  No 2 nd CBNRM level  Ownership high  Minimal skills and participation

POLICY, LAWS & STRATEGIES  Sessional Paper No.1 of 2010 & Tourism Act 2010 –recognizes the close linkages between tourism to ecological sustainable development of the country’s natural and heritage resources –Act fails to provide adequate institutional arrangement to safeguard above –Mechanism for CBT mainstreaming and affirmative integration action. –Financial access and business advisory services –Marketing

 Forest Act 2005 –Participatory forest Management thro CFA’s –Rights to participate in ecotourism activities  Draft Wildlife bill, 2009 –Provisions for landowners to participate in wildlife based tourism –Wildlife user rights  Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) –Establishes legal and institutional arrangement for environmental management

Vision 2030  Tourism goal –be among the top ten long haul tourist destination globally.  Strategies –Offering new products –Expanding tourist expenditure per capita –Improving her international,marketing strategies  Niche Products –Eco –tourism, Water-based tourism & Cruise tourism, Youth and Sports-tourism, Cultural-tourism, Agro- tourism, Business and Conference tourism, Medical tourism, Aqua tourism

The Constitution  The Fourth Schedule outlines the distribution of functions between national and County Governments.  Functions and powers of County governments will, inter alia, be: –Culturalactivities, public entertainment and amenities such as –Betting, casinos & other forms of gambling –Cinemas, Racing, video shows & hiring –Libraries,Museums –Sports and cultural activities & facilities –County parks,beaches & recreational facilities.

Recommendations  National CBTE framework –Facilitate JV partnerships, leases, revenue sharing, conflict resolution guidelines  Diversifying the destination, including more CBT products  Enhance means to influence private sector behaviour –Use concession processes and investment deals (tax holidays etc) –awards, codes, certification

 Invest in hospitality skills of unskilled & semi-skilled people –Tailor made and ex situ  Facilitating destination-level partnerships –Leverage govt ‘s unique convening power  Boosting local craft and tourist shopping –Upgrade product quality, supply and fit with tourist tastes –sales venues (Beach Stalls) –Ensure tourists have information, incentives and capacity to spend more locally

 Stimulating micro and small tourism enterprises –Business support: training, credit and business development services –Ensure licensing and regulations CBTE’s friendly –Provide simple infrastructure to catalyse SMMEs (Toilets in TZ) –Facilitate access to private sector linkages and mentorship programme –Stimulate market demand for CBT products (BEE SA) –Create events to bring tourists and service providers together (Carnivals, Festivals, Sports etc )  CBTE’s Strategic Boards

Provision for mechanism to channel financial flows to communities Revenue sharing and mechanism to tap into philanthropic flows Ethic

Thank You