Communities
and Tourism
The Community Outreach Program is one among the key program areas of Ecotourism Kenya. The aim of the program is threefold:
(i) to integrate communities and community-based tourism into mainstream tourism in Kenya;
(ii) to build capacity for local people to more effectively engage with tourism issues;
(iii) to explore ideas for tourism involvements in their areas.
The ultimate goal is for an equitable distribution of the benefits that accrue from community-based tourism enterprises. Our work involves;
· Community mobilization; participatory trainings, seminars, workshops and sharing of information through the quarterly newsletter and monthly e-letter;
· Community advisory services on product development, packaging, fundraising, etc;
· Promotion of community based, owned and/ or managed tourism enterprises.
Ecotourism Kenya has realized that many community-based tourism enterprises exist in the country, and are at various stages of development. We have compiled a database of these from field visits, surveys and contacts with other organizations engaged in community development work in Kenya. For details of different Kenyan communities and their ecotourism initiatives, click here.
Community Mobilization
Over the past years, we have been involved in community mobilization through regional workshops, debates and seminars in Kenya. Between November 2004 and May 2006, we conducted a total of eight regional workshops creating awareness on ecotourism and identifying challenges and gathering possible solutions.
As a follow up mechanism, we have rolled out regional training programmes in 2007 that are explicitly designed to meet the needs and enhance the skills of local communities involved in community-based tourism enterprises. For details on training workshops click on resources section or contact philip@ecotourismkenya.org
Community Advisory Services
This involves community advisory services on product development, packaging and market access. In 2003-2005 with support from United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Ecotourism Kenya played a key role in supporting two community groups to develop and package their products in Uaso Cultural Centre in Samburu and Isechano Banda’s in Kakamega forest.
Promotion of Community-Based Tourism Enterprises
This we do by proactive marketing and promotion of tourism enterprises run by communities or local individuals in our website, flayers and newsletter. We also support and coordinate with activities of others, such as NGOs and donors, who are promoting community-based tourism enterprises.
To access a database of all community-based tourism (CBT) enterprises in Kenya, click here
Feature Community
Kaya Kinondo Ecotourism Project
Kayamba dance at Kinondo
Did you know that though visitors are not allowed into most of the sacred forests (Kayas) found along the Kenyan coast, there is one that allows it?
It is a 30-hectare forest located in Diani beach, just south of Mombasa, called Kaya Kinondo. The local community has formed Kaya Kinondo Ecotourism Project that offers controlled access into this mysterious forest.
Visitors to Kaya Kinondo enjoy a guided walk into the forest during which the community shares information on the Kaya and other aspects of the local culture. They also get the opportunity to visit Kinondo village and interact with members of the local community, including the medicine man. Other activities that are available here include performances, sale of handicrafts and visits to the local school.
Additionally, Kaya Kinondo Ecotourism Project carries out a wide range of environmental conservation efforts to preserve the forest. These include afforestation and raising awareness on the Kaya’s importance.
The community uses a set of rules both to safeguard the Kaya’s sanctity and to protect their culture. For instance, entry into the Kaya is allowed only on certain days, according to a traditional calendar. Visitors are not supposed to litter, smoke or take anything away from the Kaya. Moreover, there are still some sections of the Kaya that one is not allowed to venture into.
Kaya Kinondo is reported to harbour 52 bird species and 192 plant species. The current pristine status of many Kayas demonstrates the important role that social taboos have played in biodiversity conservation over time; these forests have remained intact due to taboos that prohibited tree felling, livestock grazing and extraction of forest products.
So, the next time you are at the Kenyan coast, visit Kaya Kinondo for this unique and exclusive experience.
For bookings and more information on the project, contact Mr. Hemed Mwafujo on cell phone +254 (0)722 446916 or email hemfujo@yahoo.co.uk or kayakinondo@yahoo.com
Kaya Kinondo Ecotourism Project is a member of Ecotourism Kenya. |
