ECO TOURISM TALK

Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) was invited at eco-tourism talk on 30th October 2014 at Nairobi National Museum of Kenya for a presentation which was purposely giving insights on the Homestays as Ecotourism Enterprises in Kenya. The Executive Director KECOBAT, Ole Taiko Lemaiyan presenting and creating awareness on the significance of homestays, He emphasized the need to embrace the product as it plays a big role in diversifying tourism industry through ensuring cultural experiences, historical insights and meeting the trend of visitors by bridging gaps of beds that are required to accommodate the projected number of visitors as per the implementation of VISION 2030. 

For deeper understanding of the homestay concept, brief background about the Homestays, how to establish and operate a homestay, highlights in terms of the benefits, challenges and legal procedures to enable homestay operators ensure quality services to our visitors were discussed and through open discussions the participants appreciated the need for implementation of homestays. Homestays will ensure enriched experiences to visitors as they interact with family members and involve in various activities such as, crop farming, animal interactions like milking, riding donkeys among others, be guided to the vicinity historical sites and other natural resources surrounding the homestays and attend various festivals. Through such diverse experiences in the ecosystem and the Kenyan hospitality, it is believed to capture the attention of our visitors and enhance their interests to stay and explore more. 

Among other pressing needs to realize the effective implementation and contribution of homestays to enhance community development, continual capacity building to homestay operators in various counties and ensuring collaborative marketing strategies from various stakeholders on addition to central reservation system being developed by KECOBAT need to be enhanced as integral aspects to improve on homestay operations in regard to better standards and quality service delivery to our visitors. It’s through reaching out to empower homestay operators that will enable them realize their responsibility to conserve the ecosystem for enriched experiences hence promoting both ecotourism and community tourism development. 

Therefore, KECOBAT continues to build capacities of homestay operators through various trainings, mapping, profiling and marketing different operators in the country and it’s upon this background that it wishes to interact with various stakeholders to boost homestay operations in the country as a vehicle for livelihood transformation.

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY PLANNING WORKSHOP.

Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda (STTA) organized Getaway tourism fair at the Sarit Centre Tourism Expo on 31st October 2014, Sarit Centre tourism exhibition targets Kenya’s domestic market where local tourists visit various places especially at the coast for Christmas and New Year. The STTA seminar was attended by various stakeholders and students from Kenyatta University. Among other presentations including insurance for visitors to ensure their safety in various destinations, campaigns to protect the wildlife especially the elephants were to be harmonized in all talks, social forums such as twitter, Facebook and any possible ways. 

Judy Kepher Gona - STTA

KECOBAT was given platform to present on the Homestays in Kenya as one way possible strategy of offering affordable holiday options on stress free holiday planning. While presenting, the KECOBAT Executive Director, Ole Taiko Lemaiyan gave clear insights on homestays and its background highlighting its need to respond to the ever changing trends of visitors who wish to fully have empirical experiences by interacting with community members and explore more on our natural environment. He also pointed out the strategy to increase the number of beds targeted to accommodate the visitors both local and international visitors in different areas. 

Taiko Lemayian - KECOBAT ED 

Dr. Paula Kahumbu - Director - Wildlife Direct

Therefore, KECOBAT continues to build capacities of homestay operators through various trainings, mapping, profiling and marketing different operators in the country and it’s upon this background that it wishes to interact with various stakeholders to boost homestay operations in the country as one of the strategies to meet accommodation needs by various visitors both local and international. 

ZINDUKA FESTIVAL, ARUSHA-TANZANIA.

Thematic area: Tourism Forum; Community Based Tourism and the Regional Integration.

In collaboration with Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA), Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) participated in Zinduka festival 2014 which was scheduled for November 6th to 8th under a theme: People’s Voices, Sustainable Development. The celebrations took place at Sheikh Amri Abeid Karume stadium in Arusha where 11 conveners attended with various themes aimed to enhance the livelihoods of East African Communities. Five East African countries including, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were represented by various organizations and artists.

The chairperson organizing committee, Mr Kepta Ombati giving his opening remarks, highlighted that after the inaugural festival last year, participants were unanimous on the need to make Zinduka Festival an annual event. The organizers promised to hold the second edition this year (which this report is about), again in Arusha, a city resonating so well with the collective efforts of the people for regional integration and Pan-Africanism. Zinduka Festival is a celebration of our individual and collective achievements of our industry, creativity and cultures. But it is also a statement of our commitment to actively participate in and work towards an East African Community in which every voice counts.

The event was officially opened by Dr. Richard Sezibera, the General Secretary, East African Community in Arusha and addressing the audience, He depicted the opportunities and benefits of communities working together in East Africa to have a collective intervention to various challenges including employment opportunities, knowledge exchange for best practices implementation, enhance trade and business ventures, promoting the region as a tourist destination among others that would solve problems mitigating the acceleration of sustainable development.

Different conveners in respective groups discussed various thematic areas in development and Kenya Community Based Tourism network (KECOBAT) together with Uganda Community tourism Association (UCOTA) convened tourism forum where Community Tourism in East Africa was represented and discussed. 

Community Based Tourism and the Regional Integration.

Brief introductions were given about UCOTA/ KECOBAT also referring to TANAPA who all represent the Community Based Tourism (CBT) initiatives and discussions were directed to explain community tourism and the role of Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) in enhancing East African Communities through ensuring that benefits from tourism sector are integrated in the focal point of transforming livelihoods of communities. CBT in the regional integration will pose various benefits and opportunities where marketing East Africa as a single destination with single visa will smoothly enable different visitors be at liberty to explore various tourism products in East African communities. Product diversification including implementation of Homestays, agro tourism, Culture and heritage, youth and sports among others were presented by KECOBAT as one of the tourism products to benefit East African communities. Also following various presentations and discussions, East African Community integration will be a strong vehicle for strengthening and enhancing community development through:

• Wider market and collective marketing of community tourism products
• Increased voice and power for community based tourism advocacy in designing of policies accommodating community interests in development.
• Ensuring collaborative efforts to solve various community challenges encompassing socio-economic and information technology improvement. 
• Mutual knowledge exchange resulting from wider scope knowledge sharing platforms. Benefits from success stories among East African communities will create enabling environment and enhance promotion of diverse cultural setting and community attractions. 

Therefore various concerns from stakeholders in the tourism Value chain at various levels would be integral part in participation to promote tourism in East Africa including what community leaders can do locally and regionally to stimulate CBT and keeping its relevancy in the integration as key community contacts to ensure optimum community participation in endeavors for them to realize their benefits of implementing East African Community Integration.

Conclusion

Focusing on thematic area of tourism forum, Zindika Festival which is held annually aims at the implementation of East African Community integration and this will greatly promote local/ or domestic tourism where different communities will eagerly visit new places in the region for both study purposes and curiosity thereafter implement the best practices in relation to the activities supported by diverse resources, interactions and professional partnerships in their respective communities. This will also offer an opportunity to Community Based Tourism (CBT) to diversify their products to suit the trend of consumer priorities in tourism enterprises to make the region a leading tourism destination. 

Conclusively, East African Community integration will provide a recognized forum to promote and advance community tourism development and other products including wildlife through collaborative efforts in advocating for community interests and harnessing different marketing strategies to promote various tourism products at both regional and international markets. Strong collaborations with grass root communities need to be enhanced for effective and relevant service delivery in addressing community hindrances for socio-economic and technological advancement to realize total livelihood transformation among East African communities. 

By Godfrey Habumuremyi

THE AFRICAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS MEET IN KAMPALA

In our continued support and pursuance for relevancy of our communities we were honored to attend the African Travel Association Congress in Uganda. It was slated for the 11th to the 16 of November 2014. This was the 39th world annual congress. 

Permit me to highlight majorly the new and catching products that were of more benefit to Community Tourism practitioners. 

The congress featured;

• Learning and professional development in areas of Branding and marketing as well as product development. 
• The Uganda International Tourism Expo which showcased the East African Tourism products and services and this was held at the Uganda Museum.
• The Young Professionals program which brought on board students from various tourism related institutions to share on the opportunities and potentials as they bond with the chosen paths of profession and careers. 
• The African Culinary Experiences and Adventure Tours all through the days of the congress where well facilitated and those enthusiastic in any or all or the disciplines should have well documented these fellowships. 

The ATA conference attracted delegates from 19 countries 18 of which were African and the other was America this was from the delegates report. These included government representatives, civil society, media and Private sector among others not forgetting us the Community members.

KECOBAT/UCOTA team at ATA

From the community perspective we should admit that there is always room to do better. It was successful if we run by the program and we shall wait for the briefs from the other foreign dignitaries. Admittedly, “we have lots of potential but as local practitioners, have never learnt to pull in the same direction when there is need. This, we must correct and also our people love doing things the last minute mainly because they want to take advantage of the confusion, that is not good. If we help Uganda grow, we shall eventually grow as well as individuals” reported Amos Wekesa one of the Tourism Professionals in the Region. 

The new and endearing presentation in the congress was the spotlight on the Faith based travel. The presentation was made by One Reverend Nicholas S. Richards a Minister with the global outreach, Abyssinian’s Baptist Church. He noted that the Faith- Based Travelers especially in the United States and Europe represent a very strong market segment of the Tourism Market in Africa. He discussed and showed a documentary on the typology, opportunities and context of this niche market. Africa is a cradle of mankind and has very strong traditions with key faiths in the world. Too, there are very many missionaries and philanthropists willing to come and explore Africa but also sharing the beauty of this continent and the people therein. Areas like Ethiopia, Egypt and all those in the Nile Valley have featured favorite on the list of destinations in this Niche. 

He charged all participants to strategize and open their minds to this option. 

From the community, we can deduce that we have the stock and this can be explored and exploited. The communities need these people to help them become better. Key in here is to position our communities to be able to receive these missionaries and philanthropists, to meet their expectations but most of all be visible and relevant with in their profiling. There is need for transparency and accountability for the resources to reach the grass root persons who are in most cases the children, the elderly and the women. 

The other cases presented that related to the communities where themed under Tourism Cares; empowering communities. It looked at ways in which Tourism improved livelihood (Economic, Environmental and Social.)

Thomas Armitt presented some of the best practices in West Africa specifically Sierra Leones where he has been for the last 10 years and Maria Baryamujura gave the cases for Uganda.

Conclusions

The presence of the media and their work in all this is worth appreciating. Thanks to the organizers for recognizing them. Our biggest gain is going to come from the coverage the region is receiving through all the bloggers, writers and the general media. 

They have something to write about to counter EBOLA which featured as the biggest challenge to the industry at the time of the ATA congress. 

Gross appreciations to all stakeholders and publics in this but most of all my Community Tourism Fraternity (KECOBAT/ UCOTA) for enabling me in terms of time to learn and share with others. We are relevant. 

By Lule Godfrey Ssemwanga.

Kisumu Crowns Miss Tourism Kenya 2014

Christine Pete has been crowned Kisumu County Miss Tourism Kenya 2014.

The 22 year old Masinde Muliro University student was announced the winner of the contest held at Tom Mboya Labour College on Sunday.

The night that was covered with pomp and color belonged to the beauty pageants as they showed their prowess during the the stiff competition. With different model categories showcased and with tough questions from the judges, the pageants remained beautiful, calm and appeared confident in order to get n opportunity in clinching the top County Tourism Crown.

Christine, who was referred to as Lupita by part of the attendants attracted the attention from the first time she appeared on the stage.

Pete who is a final year Bachelor of Arts student, comes from Nyando sub-county.

Linet Akoth from Nyakach and Dorcas Anyango from Kisumu West sub-counties were named first runners up and second runners up respectively.

Christine will represent the county during the Miss Tourism Kenya national finals to be held next month.

Ms. Pete who was emotionally filled with joy as she was being crowned said that she had a passion in tourism and believed that the county had made the right decision in choosing her to market the sector.

She said that marketing Kisumu's tourism attractions will be her major role locally and internationally.

The event was mainly organised by the county government and attracted 25 contestants from all the seven sub-counties including Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Seme, Nyando, Muhoroni and Nyakach.

As the ladies walked past the charged and joyful attendance, the honourable judges must have had difficult time selecting this year’s county tourism lady.

The event was graced by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who earlier in the day had attended Gor Mahia match held at t the city. 

Also present at the function was His Excellency the Governor Jack Ranguma, Her Excellency the County First Lady Olivia Ranguma, Honourable County Executives, and Members of County Assembly led by the Acting Speaker Hon Gaby.

Governor Jack Ranguma was happy and welcomed all the guests to the important event. He promised to support the projects of Miss Tourism Kenya 2014.

He said that the event had illustrated numerous untapped talents among the youths in the county. The Governor added that he county has produced Oscar Awards winner Lupita Nyong’o among other talented artistes.

His Excellency the Governor said that the county government had set aside Sh70 million for the construction of a first ever talent academy within the county.

He said that the government would ensure that the youths earn a living from their talents. 'It is because of this that Kisumu will have its performing arts theatre' he said.

He added that the tourism is the biggest employer with a very wide multiplier effect and had been given a high priority amongst the seven key pillars of the county’s development agenda.

His Excellency said that the County would be well branded to to attract more investments. He said that soon the county would have a floating restaurant and wedding would be done at the lake.

Ranguma reported that Kisumu was prepared to host the biggest conference ever of 6,000 delegates next year for a week and urged communities to open up their homes to accommodate extra visitors.

The judges were introduced by the CEC Commerce, Tourism and Heritage Dr. Rose Kisia. 

‘The team was led by the chair Prof. Rose Ongati of Maseno University. She is the head of Department of Music and Theatre Studies and an expert in performing arts, educationist and a stakeholder in Kisumu County' she read. 

'The second judge is Lucy Rao Head Designer from Realtors Fashions. She is a coordinator and judge Fashion Show Citizen TV and an organizer of African Fashion Fair. She is also a project coordinator of Pamba Mali Organic Cotton in the County' she added. 

'Also a member of the team is Willis Ondiek, who has worked in the tourism industry for over twenty years. He is the Assistant Director of Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) the newest institution in the industry. He comes from the County. Willis is a stakeholder and an investor’.

In addition, Dr. Rose said that she was happy to have led the County to holding a successful event that would propel tourism in the region to a different height.

She said that the County Government will use its enormous tourism attraction sites to attract tourists from outside the county. She said that the following year, the government would consider male participants in order to have Mr. Tourism Kenya Kisumu County.

The beauty pageant, the first one of its kind, was launched to promote the county’s investment and tourism destinations.

Also speaking at the event, First Lady, Olivia Ranguma said that the exercise brought together pageants from different parts of the county hence playing a big role in bringing and enhancing communities’ participation from the whole County.

She said that Miss Tourism promotes both domestic and international tourism, promoting confidence and enhancing leadership skills.

Prof Jackline Oduol who was the chief guest at the event urged the county government to invest heavily on tourism development for revenue generation.

The Chief Guest wrapped it up by saying that tourism should be the key to making Kisumu visible in the county and on the globe.

Kisumu County Miss Tourism Kenya 2014 in Pictures!!!

Lake Nakuru National Park FAM Trip

KECOBAT was part of a one day FAM trip to Lake Nakuru Natonal Park organized by KWS on 25^th October 2014.

Lake Nakuru National Park Main gate

On arrival to the park we were received by KWS staff. After introductions they took us through a short presentation of the history of the park, the challenges they are facing. The senior warden mentioned that they would be trans-locating 5 herd of buffaloes to Tsavo in November and requested tour operators to sell this unique experience to their clients.

After the welcome, we started the game drive and the wardens re-assured us that the drive was to dispel all the myths we had recently heard about the park; that ALL the flamingos and most of the other wildlife had moved elsewhere. We were shown the effects of the flooding of the lake which are quite visible. KWS even had to move the main gate entrance together with their offices to higher ground.

Effects of flooding in the park

Rhinos

Flamingoes

Buffaloes

Giraffe

In between the game drive, we stopped a three accommodation facilities which included Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Lake Nakuru Lodge and Sarova Lion Hill.

Sarova Lion Hill Accommodation

One of the tents at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp

Facts about Lake Nakuru National Park   

•  Lake Nakuru National Park is both a Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area (IBA)
•  It is the premier birding destination with over 450 bird species
•  It hosts one of the largest concentration of Rhinos in the country
• Flamingoes are returning to the lake (a sizable population already within the lake)
• New game drive circuits/ routes have been created. They offer better game viewing chances
•  Makalia Campsite has been rehabilitated with a modern washrooms and camping benches
• Out of Africa picnic site has been rehabilitated. There are new picnic shades
• There will be translocation of buffalos from the park in the month of November. You can package this and sell as a unique product
•  It is possible to do night game drives within the park at  a cost of KSHS 2,500 per pax plus security fees of KSHS 4,000 (for two armed rangers). This is on top of the normal park entry fees. Prior arrangement with park management is necessary

Possible touristic activities in the park include:

• Game drives
• Camping
• Picnicking
• Photography