tourism in east africa

8/10/2019 Tourism in East Africa

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GEOG 323: Regional Geography of Africa with special reference to East Africa

Tourism in East Africa

Factors Favouring Tourism

East Africa is an important tourist destination in the world due to several factors as follows:

Endowed with tourism resourcessuch as Flora and fauna, Herds of animals/wildlife grazing on savanna,

Flock of birds, Scenic topography, Lakes, Pristine coastline and beaches and Bracing climate

Large tracts of land as wildlife reserves for animals: Protections from poachers and expanding human

occupancy. Several animal such as elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra,

giraffe, buffalo and many kinds of antelope and gazelle. These animals serve as important tourists

attractions; visitors are mostly Europeans and North America

Important National Parkssuch as Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli in Kenya, Serengeti, Selous, Ugalla and

Rungwa in Tanzania and Queen Elizabeth and Marsabi in Uganda.

Unique Ecosystem: e.g. Lake Nakuru National Park famous for birds (flamingos) ; Malindi and

Wantamu Marine Park beautiful coral reefs and numerous (200) species of fish) in clear waters; Fine

beaches of the Indian Ocean coast: clear waters and good conditions for swimming, boat ride, surfing

etc.; Magnificent Scenery associated with mountainous areas: Mts. Kenya, Elgon, Ruwenzori, Meru and

Kilimanjaroexcellent viewing, walking and climbing

In Kenya, most national parks and reserves are located beside scenic lakes, on the slopes of huge

volcanic peaks and within rift valleys, providing spectacular settings for wildlife observation.Uganda is

famous for its mountain gorillas. It's also home to the source of the Nile River, and has 1,200 species

of birds

Varied climate: 25C to 28C along the coast (Mombasa); 16C to 19C in highland / plateau areas

(Nairobi) and lower in highland region. There is abundant sunshine all year round in most parts of East

Africa, has become very appealing to visitors from temperate regions of the world.

Culture and way of life of the people. E.g. the Masai people attract a lot of visitors promotes cultural

tourism

Institutional arrangements: Ministerial support e.g. Ministry of Tourism in Kenya and Parastatal bodies

eg. Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS)-responsible for wildlife management and conservation. Kenya Tourist

Development Board (KTDB)- promotes local investment in tourism enterprises and Tanzania Tourist

Board support tourism initiatives. Open foreign investment policy:hotels, travel business. There is also

a vibrant hospitality sub-sector- Airlines, travel & tours businesses e.g. Kenya Airways, Kenya

Association of Tour Operators (KATO), Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) etc.

Importance of Tourism

Foreign exchange earnings: Tourism is the third foreign exchange earner in Kenya after tea and

coffee. In Uganda tourism brings in more foreign currency than the top two exports, coffee and

fish, combined.


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Source of employment generation for many. The hospitality services, travel and tours,

transport, entertainment, tour guides in the wildlife reserves, mountainous areas and along the

coast all provide forms of employment.

Promotion of other economic activities at tourist sites: e.g. local arts, handicrafts

Promotion of national, regional, & local development: through improved infrastructure andenhances image of destination areas.

Basis for resource conservation: the creation of national reserves conserves the biodiversity

and unique ecosystems.

Preservation of cultural identity & artsthrough cultural tourism, sale of handicrafts.

Challenges of the Tourist Industry

Insecurity: pirate attacks on cruise ships, terrorist attacks e.g. 1998 US Embassy bombings in Kenya &

Tanzania, West Gate Shopping Mall Attack. The tourism sector in Kenya exhibited steady growth in most

years since independence and by the late 1980s had become the countrys principal source of foreign

exchange. But in the late 1990s, tourism relinquished this position to tea exports, because of a

terrorism-related downturn. The government and tourist industry organizations have taken steps to

address the security problem and to reverse negative publicity. Such as steps include establishing a

tourist police and launching marketing campaigns in key tourist origin markets. Tourism has seen a

substantial revival over the past several years and is the major contributor to the countrys economic

growth. But recent West Gate attack is likely to affect the industry

Ecological modification/destructione.g. Pollution of lakes and persistent decline of water, Drought &

degradation

Destruction of wildlife and natural resources poachers kill animals for meat or for sale, others trade

parts of animals such as the ivory and rhinoceros horns

Physical connectivity in terms of roads, air and waterwayspoor road networks hinder access to certain

tourists sites

Natural calamities such as flood and hurricanes at various tourists sites deter people from visiting such

areas.

Diseases e.g. Ebola

Inadequate skilled manpower and expertise in the field of tourism and hospitality industry

Lack of infrastructure- social services such as hospitals. Most tourist sites are in remote areas therefore

need such facilities.

Poor communication networksmobile phones, internet.

Low government supportlimited capital investment


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Reference:http://www.eturbonews.com/31337/tanzania-president-calls-competitive-east-african-

tourism
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tourism in east africa

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