Tourism Kenya

KENYA

Introduction

The modern history of Kenya however, did not start until the Cushitic people from Northern Africa moved into present day Kenya around 2000 BC. The Bantu arrived and settled at the Coast at around 200 AD. Later between the 10th-14th centuries Nilotic people arrived and occupied the Rift Valley plains. Arab traders started frequenting the Kenyan Coast in the first century A.D. By 700 A.D. Arab settlements had sprouted along the coastline giving way to intermarriages between the Bantu and Arabs. This formed the beginning of the Swahili culture and language we have in Kenya today. Then in 1498 Portuguese arrived and settled in Kenya's coast ending the Arab dominance. It was during their stay at the coast that they built the famous Fort Jesus in Mombasa in 1593. The Portuguese lived in control of much of the coast until the late 1600s when the Imam of Oman defeated them, bringing the Coast under Islamic control. (http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/about-kenya.html)

Kenya's history again dates back to many centuries from the internal diaspora or the early settlements and migrations. Then came the formation of the various language groups who developed their own religions, traditions, governments and ruling systems in which they dictated their way of life and how they managed to keep alive by their trade and occupations. Then came the white settlers, which was followed by the fight for liberation, which gave birth to the Mau Mau freedom fighters and the rise of the Kenyan heroes. (http://www.kenyaweb.com/history/introduction/index.html)

Characteristics and structure of the Kenyan tourism industry

Kenya is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Africa and tourism is a key foreign

exchange earner for the country. Kenya’s tourism was founded on the country’s rich wildlife

resources, although beach tourism along the Indian Ocean coast is now equally important. Indeed, the coastal areas generate the highest number of bed occupancies, particularly from Germany and the United Kingdom.

Various government ministries have had responsibility for tourism since Kenya’s independence.

They include the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife; Ministry of Wildlife and Natural Resources and Ministry of Trade and Industry. This regular ministerial restructuring has led to difficulties in coordinating tourism with other related sectors such as forestry, agriculture, transport and communications. A number of parastatal bodies also have a significant influence over the industry including, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) which is responsible for wildlife management and conservation, Kenya Tourist Development Board (KTDB) which promotes local investment in tourism enterprises, African Tours and Hotels (AT&H), responsible for hotel management and tours but currently undergoing privatization, Bomas of Kenya, which promotes African culture and is also being privatized, Utalli College specializes in tourism and hospitality training, and Kenya Tourism Board (KTB)which, like other national tourist offices, is a marketing and promotions organization.

The number of institutions indicates the importance the government places on wildlife conservation, tourism promotion and marketing, personnel training and cultural and enterprise development. Among the private sector players in tourism, a number of representative organizations have emerged to support tourism development, each representing the interests of particular groups of players. They include Kenya Airways (KA), Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO),Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers Kenya Budget Hotels; Ecotourism Society of Kenya (ESK), and Mombasa and Coast Hotel Keepers Association.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KENYA

DEVELOPED

UNDEVELOPED

Wild life safaris

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Beaches

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Marine life Forests

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Urban tours

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Balloon trips Polo

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Animal orphanage

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Plantation agriculture (there are farm camping holidays in

large plantations with vast plain lands). Also popular are the

Rift Valley commercial ranches that form natural campsites

and have rare birds and wildlife.

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Nature trails

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Bird watching

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Angling

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Race course

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Fish farms

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Archaeological sites (historical ruins, museums)

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Cultural and traditional art and crafts dances along the Maasai safari circuit.

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Camping

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Hiking mountain climbing

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Forests

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