Abstract:
This paper provides a social and ecological analysis of tourism development in Kenya and identifies possible solutions to the problems confronting the tourism industry in the country. These problems include the degradation and reduction of the quality of the tourism product; decreasing per capita tourist revenues; and an unequitable distribution of the country's tourism earnings among different stakeholders. To minimize the negative impacts of tourism, Kenya needs alternative tourism strategy which derives from the country's dynamic and evolving socio-economic and environmental demands. Consequently, policy and institutional mechanisms need to be put in place which encourage local participation in tourism project design and management. Increased linkage of the tourism industry with other domestic economic sectors will decrease the leakage rates and increase the multiplier effect.
