KECOBAT Initiates Affiliate Programmes...

Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) a membership umbrella organization for CBT, has initiated affiliate programs.

KECOBAT promotes the development of Community Based Tourism Enterprises in the country by developing Homestays, Agro-tourism and Cultural Heritage.

On its official website www.kecobat.org the organization states its key objectives of acting as the voice of the locals involved in the tourism sector. With current travel being more experiential and leisure based, KECOBAT has become one of the leading institutions to promote these niche products in attempt to help the country diversify its tourism for wider consumption.

The institution spearheaded the development of homestays criteria, a document that is now owned by the government and is in force as guideline for homestays operators. Download the criteria here.

The homestays website www.homestayskenya.org that was developed by KECOBAT is a first time basic site to host and market homestays operators in Kenya. The site is, however, being restructured to allow online reservation for these homestay operators to guests.  

The websites promotes homestay accommodations to their customers, allowing their visitors and community members to explore the idea of staying in one of over 1,650 host-present accommodations currently in the database.

Homestays are an increasingly popular lodging option for consumers of all ages who want a more personalized, immersive and authentic travel experience. By connecting guests with hosts that share their interests and accommodations that fit their needs, KECOBAT has become the leading marketplace for host-present accommodations, a fast growing travel segment.

It is continuously seeking to partner and network with other international institutions with a need to integrate options to help maximize earning potential, ranging from direct tracked online links from a selection of banners and buttons right through to more seamless website solutions.

KECOBAT has put in place offers of highly competitive commission structures, allowing home owners to earn commissions on a cost-per-sale basis. The affiliate programs are currently free to join, no application or setup fees or ongoing costs. With the coming in the newly formed Tourism Regulatory Authority, and the government through the Directorate of Tourism, KECOBAT is looking forward to a successful and sustainable development of these programmes in Kenya.

The homestay market is a rapidly growing and exciting space. It has evolved well beyond its primarily educational origins, with a majority of guests travelling for leisure today. Business travel is up significantly as well, and the typical age of guests reflects these changes. There is currently significant growth in guests over the age of 29 in the past year as the appeal of a less expensive, personal and unique experience becomes clear.

KECOBAT is also significantly looking at creating experience in building and managing relationships to maximize sales and revenue opportunities both for the government and home owners.

We view partnerships as an integral way to showcase and promote these unique travel products. Therefore, the development of this program will bring in tour operators, guides, the locals, private sector players, government institutions and all other bodies that will make it a success.

Today’s visitors travel with the main aim of getting to engage in a more personal local experience with an end result of getting more value for their money.

Following the Kenyan State Tourism Diversification, MTDC now asks villagers to turn houses into homestays...

Homestays is swiftly taking root in Kenya’s tourism sector. The government through directorate of tourism and a number of tourism institutions have appreciated the development of homestays concept in the country and are now promoting it to add some revenue to home owners. Kenya Community Based Tourism Network, one such organization has been developing the same after it introduced the concept to the government of Kenya in 2006. KECOBAT has now captured in its database over 1,650 and profiled over 200 homestays in Kenya.

In attempt to also promote homestays, the Indian government through Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has also started homestays initiatives. The corporation has been urging villagers to turn their houses into homestay in order to get extra income from such enterprises. Additionally, MTDC has been at the forefront of training villagers to be eco-guides.

Vitthal Kirdat is one such villager who runs a food stall during the year, but has now been supported by a forest department and MTDC to initiate the concept of home stay. He has also made arrangements in two rooms with four beds each for a weekend stay. Kirdat has set up a website http://www.kaspatharholiday.com to help maximize on homestays.

Vaishali Chavan, the regional manager of MTDC, Pune, pointed out that due to the delay in the flowering activity, the rush of tourists was yet to begin. “We have been encouraging villagers to set aside extra rooms and offer beds and breakfast at their homes,” she said.

Homestay is an eco-tourism initiative and the economic benefits will be circulated in the village. This would ensure that not only Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) members were benefited through tourism on Kas but also the villagers.

More info from The Indian Express…http://indianexpress.com/

State seeking to diversify tourism through niche products...

Government agencies are seeking ways to diversify tourism to increase revenue sources. This comes in the wake of a dwindling tourism sector enhanced by the past recent insecurity issues in the Kenyan coastal region.

A detailed report progress report issued in June by the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat shows that the initiative is aimed at introducing new high value products such as cultural tourism, homestays, agro-tourism, eco-sports and water based tourism.

The initiative of promoting the niche products is being promoted by the Ministry of East African Affairs Commerce and Tourism.

Agro-tourism Strategy

Culture and Heritage Strategy

The report that was forwarded to to parliament adds that cultural and heritage tourism strategy and agrotourism strategy have been developed. Kenya Community Based Tourism Network together with the Ministry and other tourism stakeholders played a key role in developing the two strategies. Hard copies of the two strategies can be picked from the Directorate of Tourism at Utalii House, Nairobi.

It has also been well put in the report that criteria for homestays has been developed. KECOBAT developed this criteria and guidelines for homestays in the country in 2009 and was later validated by the government at Bomas of Kenya in November 2010. It is out of this criteria that KECOBAT has profiled and accredited over 200 Homestays Operators in Kenya. Please note that licenses are only issued by the newly formed Tourism Regulatory Authority which is yet to issue these operators with licenses.

Please download the approved criteria here...

You can also download Culture and Heritage Strategic Plan, and Youth and Sports Strategic Plan.

To enhance the homestays concept, the homestays mapping and capture form was validated by the government after being developed by KECOBAT for data base creation. KECOBAT has over 1,650 Homestays Operators captured in this database.  The number include potential operators.

 

Criteria for Homestays

Youth and Sports Strategy

State Embraces home-stays Concept

By John Oyuke

Kenya’s tourism offerings might be shifting from the traditional high cost hotel or lodge, white beach and game drive experience to the warmth of a domesticated, cozy and personalised environment.

In the next three months, the Government will officially launch a new tourism concept known as “Home-stays” to provide pocket friendly and secure accommodation option for today’s adventure seeking tourists.

According to Tourism Minister, Dan Mwazo, the concept will not only bridge the gap of quality accommodation as envisaged in the Vision 2030 blueprint, but will also provide a unique chance for visitors to immerse themselves into the rich and diverse cultural exchange, and catalyse the rural economy.

He said the unique hospitality system developed by the ministry in which a tourist stays with a family would help diversify tourism products, as well as equip tourists with the knowledge of the hosts’ way of life such as agricultural system, folk arts sculptures, sports and cuisine.

Though the concept has not yet picked up in Kenya, a Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) official says it will provide unique opportunities now that the body has developed criteria to identify and guide the standards of promoting home-stays.

The official says the drive towards home-stays is driven by need to raise bed capacity from 40,000 to about 65,000 by this year, as envisaged under the Vision 2030.

High cost

“This is to be achieved by identifying the niche product by providing 3,000 beds of high cost accommodation for the tourists interested in the cultural and eco- tourism as well as sports activities, among other ways,” he added.

The ministry is already undertaking an inventory to identify suitable places for home-stays/cultural homes in the country, and targets to register 1,000 homes as home-stays before the end of the year.

According to a ministry of tourism criteria of home-stays seen by The standard, identification of Home-stay units will be carried out by the Ministry, in collaboration with the Kenya Community-Based Tourism Network in order to accredit, approve, license the Home-stays based on the facilities and quality of the accommodation provided.

These units will also be classified as either community home-stays, farm stays and modern urban private homes, and grading into classes following five broad criteria.

The five standards are based on the location and accessibility of the house, premises quality in terms of facilities and amenities for offering to tourists, hygiene and sanitation, safety and security, and general services.

The facilities will be classified into three levels of quality namely, Economy, Standard and Executive attaching clear guidelines on the expected minimum standards.

Home-stay units fulfilling all the minimum essential conditions prescribed under the set standards will be issued certificate of approval and accorded license status to receive and accommodate guests.

The ministry says priority for registration and licensing will be only for operational Home-stays. Once the home stay operator applies for registration, it has to be ready for inspection by the government officials.

Recommended licence fees for the licenses valid for a period of one year from the date of issue is Sh1,000 for economy level Home-stays. Sh2,000 for standard level Home-stays, and Sh3,000 for Executive Level Home-stays.

The move by the ministry comes after tourism businesses said tourists prefer renting a private home, particularly at the Coast, as opposed to staying in a hotel stay.

They attribute dipping in hotel occupancy to the rising demand for relatively cheaper self-catering accommodation. A number of tourists are seeking out self-catering homes rather than large and expensive beach hotels.

A government Vision 2030 progress said that the country has run out of bed space and would face a serious accommodation crisis were it to host a major international conference. The report covering years 2010 and 2011 says the country has surpassed its targeted bed capacity as at last year and unless more investors put up hotel and accommodation facilities, there may not be need for Kenya to attract more tourists.

According to a Kenyan Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHCC) official, Ms Leah Ng’ang’a, the organisation does not see adoption of the Home-stay tourism concept by the ministry as a threat to its members.

“In fact we had been working with the ministry to fine tune the idea because as for us it means giving all cadre of tourist the best type and affordable mode of accommodation available,” she told Business Weekly last week.

Ng’ang’a, an Administration Officer at the representative body that brings together duly registered hotels, lodges and camps operating in Kenya said Home stays would provide a  first-hand experience for tourists.

“The concept will enable tourists to enjoy the rural life, the ethnic cuisine and local culture of the country while at the same time spreading benefits of tourism to the local communities,” she pointed out.

Under the new concept, every county will have 100 Home-stays, licensed by the ministry of tourism as part of efforts by the government to empower rural folks, who have been viewing tourism sector as meant for the elites.

Besides diversification from the traditional safari to beach tourism, Mwazo has also announced that the ministry plans to restructure Kenya Tourism Board would be restructured to create posts of Brand managers.

According Mwazo, the purpose of the Brand managers would be to come up with new products and market them to the ever changing travel trends, which he said were becoming more about experiential holidays.

“Sports, film, medical, education and cultural tourism will form the new components of products to be developed in the near future, he added

Standard Newspaper: 

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000062437/state-embraces-home-stays-as-bed-space-dwindles?pageNo=1

THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM

By: Thomas Ouko
There are different definitions of community tourism with strong similarities and some differences which probably originate from diverse sensitivities and experiences gained in specific contexts.

Tourism that benefits local people:

Homestays Concept in Kenya

Community Based Tourism is a form of tourism which aims to include and benefit local communities, particularly indigenous peoples and villagers. For instance, villagers might host tourists in their village, managing the scheme communally and sharing the profits.

There are many types of community based tourism projects, including many in which the ‘community’ works with commercial tour operators, but all these community tourism projects give local people a fair share of the benefits/profits and a say in deciding how incoming tourism is managed. This is what Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) stands for.

YOUR NEED TO VISIT AND KNOW - EXPERIENCE NATURE

By: Godfrey Habumuremyi

I am naturally blessed with capacity of nurturing and nourishing all mankind, animals, insects and other creatures that requires anything for survival. I have garnered all I can to sustain man and ecosystem and I can offer a variety of activities. I Make people gain peace of mind through a relaxed interactions with me both at farms and other crop fields, making people reach their destination so fast with me giving opportunities to ride horses and donkeys and such incredible experiences at flower and tea farms in Naivasha and Kericho in Kenya. The dairy farms in Limuru, the Maasai cattle in Maasai land, the camels and goats in the Northern Kenya. All these have satisfied the curiosity of our visitors and many cannot wait coming back to witness such enriching experiences.

NAMANGA THE CULTURE DRIVEN REGION - NOT ONLY HILLS

By: Lule G. S

Driving South through Kajiado County one of the biggest expanses of Massai-land, you do not only experience the breeze of the savannah but a conflict of modernization and conservation. The conflict aspect is not of intended for this short article because it all depends from where the sun is viewed and the images painted on the subject may be as varied as the doted acacias in this same county.

Baboon Guest House

As you proceed along, the horizon gives lee-way the adulating hills on asking I was gladly informed that those were the Namanga Hills. At a distance, one may think that there are no people as true to the flora in most African habitations. There is always a lot of settlements in and near the urban /social center. As we approach Bisil, I am informed that this is the area that feeds the Nairobi CBD with most of the meats we enjoy. It is all colorful; I mean the Maasai people know how to spread their wings and the display of the red and black shukas adorned with beautiful ornamentations.

Today is a market day and we have all people from different parts of Africa including me. It is here that we find our Host John who is the Coordinator of most of the Community Based Tourism Enterprises in this area of Namanga.

The Legendary Rock - Kit Mikayi...

Kit-Mikayi is a rock formation, that is around 40m high situated about 29 km west of the town of Kisumu in western Kenya. It is about 1 km from the Kisumu-Bondo road. The sign board is on the gate of Kit Mikayi primary school and entrance is via N’gop-Ngeso Primary School.

Kit-mikayi means "the stone of the first woman", or "stone of the first wife", in dholuo the Luo language.

The legend behind Kit Mikayi is that: Long time ago, there was an old man by the name Ngeso who was in great love with the stone. Every day when he woke up in the morning, he could walk into the cave inside the stone and stay there the whole day, and this could force his wife to bring him breakfast and lunch every day. The old man became passionately in love with this stone to the extent that when people asked his wife his whereabouts, she would answer that he has gone to his first wife (Mikayi) hence the stone of the first wife (Kit Mikayi).

Mount Elgon and North West Kenya Eco-tourism Promotion - MENOWECTO

Mount Elgon and North West Kenya Eco-tourism Promotion (MENOWECTO) is a non Profit Making Organization Company by Guarantee and Not Having a Share Capital, formerly registered by the Government of Kenya in 2001.

MENOWECTO was founded by 11 foundation members, who have common interest in promoting Tourism and Conservation on Mt. Elgon and in the surrounding areas of North-Western Kenya.

Taita Homestay - If you want to live the real Kenyan way, then come, stay and experience!

Taita Homestay, is located in Voi Sub County , Kasigau location 68km Southeast of Voi Town. 

Taita homestay is registered with the objective to centralize reservation and marketing of its product, currently there are 5 homes which  can accommodate 1  to 6 persons. Visitors enjoy vacation by doing good, in unique area of kasigau between Tsavo East and Tsavo West where there are beautiful homes with amazing views.

While visiting here, one will get to know the real Kenyan life including enjoying the hospitality of the local Taita Community and get to the nature will leave you craving for more. 

The money paid to the host family enhances their livehood and is always partly channeled towards protecting the environment. 

Bomani Homestay Resort – Kikambala - Kilifi County in MOMBASA

It is a home away from home…

“Bomani” means “In the Homestead” in Swahili. This perfectly describes Bomani

Resort, a homestays which is a home away from home.

Bomani Resort is situated in a serene surrounding on a 12 acre farm, surrounded by various types of fruit trees. It is located approximately 35km from Mombasa, in the Kikambala area of the Coast province. The resort lies to the left of the Mombasa – Malindi highway and is accessible through an all-weather murram road.

Bomani is a place where you will find peace and tranquillity in a homely environment. You can swim, relax by the pool side, take an interest in the farm or even walk around the village taking in the sights and sounds of local village life. It is 10 minutes away from the nearest beach e.g. Sun and Sand. There is electricity, and water is also readily available.

Rocky Hyrax Ecotourism Group

Rocky Hyrax is a tourism development group found in, Kabaru Ward, Kieni Sub-county in Nyeri County. Rocky Hyrax brings together twenty active community members involved in various community based tourism activities.

The group has among others the following activities:

• -         Mt. Kenya Canopy Nature Trail for mountain and rock climbers lovers
• -         Fish sporting in the river
• -         Bird and Butterfly watchers
• -         Primate watching and many more for visitors in this region.

NYAMIRA MISSIONARIES CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT - Authentic Cultural Experience...

Nyamira missionaries Cultural Development CBO is a community based organization operating in Nyaramba market, Borabu Constituency of Nyamira County. We are situated 12km from Nyamira Town along the Kisii -Chemosit Road.

The organization was established in 2010 and legally registered on 2013 (Reg. No DGSD/DCD/CBO/0688/2013).

Since inception, our organization has been involved in various activities key among them rural tourist focusing on home stays. We are capable of housing up to 20 tourists. Our visitors enjoy a Serene Environment and the Adventurous terrain overlooking our facility. We also organize picnics to sites within the Gusii Community for our visitors.

These sites are includes Manga Caves, the historical Tabaka Soapstone, Keera waterfalls etc.

Our rooms are standard, rates are attractive and we offer a variety of mouth watering  delicious meals which includes local foods such as Obokima bw’obori ,Enderema ,Risosa etc. We have a cultural Museum Exhibition of  various tools by the earlier Omogusii.

THE MYSTERIOUS ABINDU HILLS - The Hidden Treasure!

Abindu means caves in one premise. The hill was inhabited by the Kipsigis community decades back as far back as 500 years. The name is derived from the KIBINDO Sub-clan within the Kipsigis community now living in Kericho.  It is said that Luo drove away the Kipsigis from their settlement area which was Abindu. Abindu was a sacred place where rituals and cultural activities were undertaken.

During long spell of droughts, the elderly people would converge at Abindu and perform rituals by slaughtering animals in form of sacrifices. They would also pray for the gods of Abindu through Mama Abindu to have a bumper harvest or good crop yield. They would also converge here during times of war (inter-tribal) to strategize and be blessed with spiritual support. It was feared that whoever would set eye on mama Abindu would not lead any better life and would die abnormally or would get insane instantly.

ZAINA FALLS - Share Your Experiences To The World!

A non observant visitor may let pass the richness of the Gakanga Valley in Zaina Forest. This is only discovered after one takes the initiative to treck down the steep slope which would qualify to be one of the best natural gymns for those struggling with excess weight. The slope stands at over 60% and by mere climbing up and down the hill, one is sure of losing at least a kilo for every two trips they make on the trail.

After climbing down for about 200 metres, one is met with a stunning sight of a Zaina water fall which appears from the bushes. This is clearly a tourist attraction. The valleys themselves are an exquisite scenery. 

Community Based Tourism Concept in Kenya...

WHAT IS Community Based Tourism

Community Based Tourism (CBT) is tourism that takes environmental, social and cultural sustainability into account. It is managed and owned by the community, for the community, with the purpose of enabling visitors to increase their awareness and learn about the community and local ways of life.

Community Based Tourism programs are developed based around special elements of local lifestyle, culture, people and nature that community members feel proud of and choose to share with guests.

Guests have an opportunity to experience and learn about the community and the environment through fun, “hands-on” activities lead by local community guides. These include jungle trekking, traditional fishing, natural dying, learning to cook local dishes, etc.

Tourism services and activities are planned and managed by local people, working together in a “Community Based Tourism Group.” Tourism programs are especially designed to support community and environmental projects, to build local skills, and to distribute opportunities fairly.

Paradise off the beaten path - Kuddu Hills in Elangata Wuas Ecosystem...

Whizzing past the Elangata Wuas plains en route from Nairobi to Namanga, one catches a glimpse of the sacred Maasai Mountain, Ol Donyo Lengai, and the Noonkujit Swamp, where herds of elephant cross over from Tanzania to browse on the lush grass.

But there is much more than meets the eye.

Hidden beyond the steep rugged rocks and the acacia-littered plains that stretch into infinity is a gem that only those who dare venture off the beaten path will find. Until roughly a decade ago, few dared to venture off the main highway.

But the few who did found a paradise that could be sustained through eco-tourist ventures with a low footprint. The hills were home to the lesser kudu - a large antelope with spiralling horns, elephants, giraffes and gerenuks, impalas and gazelles, cheetah and leopards, baboons and monkeys, and more than 260 species of birds and 300 species of trees.

In the late 1990s, with support from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Ford Foundation, and IDRC, workshops were held to map a way to help the community open up their beautiful land for eco-tourism and other sustainable projects.

Welcome to Gukas Homestay

This homestay is located in Syokimau on Katani Road off Mombasa Road. The turn off is at Soham Petrol station and the house is situated adjacent to Xenon Club and Lounge.

The house has a cozy bedroom with a large sitting lounge and caters to singles, couples, working professionals, volunteers and travelers. 

The host enjoys meeting new people and learning about different cultures.

KECOBAT Joins the International Youth Day (IYD) 2014

International Youth Day (IYD) is observed annually on 12^th August. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world. This year’s theme was "Youth and Mental Health."

The event took place at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with Dr. Fred Matiangi, Cabinet Secretary for ICT as the Chief Guest. The commemoration was particularly vibrant, with speakers ranging from UN youth representative to renowned Industrialist Dr. Manu Chandaria to Hon. Johnson Sakaja, and Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke. “International Youth Day 2014” celebrations consisted of short speeches and success stories of successful icons. Different youth groups had a chance to exhibit their products and services.

Mijikenda Ecotourism Development Community Based Tourism Project...

Mijikenda Ecotourism is a Community Based Tourism Project in the Coast Region that has joined KECOBAT Network to sustainably focus on the future of Community Tourism development in Kenya.

The Mijikenda Community

The Mijikenda people are the dominant ethnic community in the coastal region of Kenya between the Kenyan border with Tanzania in the South and the Northern limit of Malindi District near the Tana River. This is a strip of over 300km with a varying width of between 50 and 60km.

In their oral traditions, the mijikenda, who include the Giriama, Digo, Duruma, Chonyi, Ribe, Rabai, Kambe, Kauma, Jibana, claim that they migrated from their original homeland of Sigwaya, thought to be in modern day southern Somalia, to settle at their present locations.

Singwaya is a name and idea that reveals ethnicity issues and the relationships the Swahili had with their neighbors and the distinction between town and hinterland.

Welcome to Evergreen Homestay, Eldoret - An Authentic African Hospitality...

Authentic African Hospitality!

Evergreen Homestay is the only one of its kind in Eldoret and its environs. It has a serene environment surrounded by a variety of trees, be it agroforestry, fruit trees, medicinal, and ornamental. 

The hosts have close to two decades of experience hosting missionaries from Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. This means that they are quite at ease with international guests. For those who enjoy a quiet house, you will find this facility one of the most ideal for you, since it is located on the outskirts of Eldoret town.

Focus on Godfrey Habumuremyi - KECOBAT staff on fk Exchange Programme...

Godfrey Habumuremyi is staff at KECOBAT on exchange program working as Field Officer. He is a graduate from Makerere University with Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural and Rural Innovation under Department of Extension and Innovation Studies. 

Godfrey also holds two Certificates one being in Team building and Empowerment organized by Bridge Head 24 Limited at Makerere University 2012 and another one on Mindset Change and Community Agricultural Leadership Development by New Village Movement in collaboration with School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University.  

He has worked as Program Officer with Mgahinga Community Development Organization (MCDO) 2013 which is an umbrella organization that coordinates different community projects operating in the communities of Kisoro District, South western Uganda under supervision of Uganda Community Tourism Association. 

Homestays Concept in Kenya

Until recently when the revolutionary concept of homestays’ ownership was introduced in Kenya, relatively few people have ventured into the business. It has become clear that there is need to add a variety and flexibility to the homestays product. While many people are attracted to the idea, majority are still sceptical and are reluctant to commit themselves to profiling for fear of being overburdened by regulatory requirements.

The prime objective of homestay product profiling remains, nurturing the idea for facilitation and development of acceptable standards coupled with packaging for promotion and marketing purposes. The homestays niche product will further enhance the envisaged increase in bed capacity countrywide as well as enable tourists plan their holiday trips to various regions of the Country.