1 Tourism in LEDCs Case Study

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    1 Tourism in LEDCs Case Study: Kenya 2. Why has there been a growth in international tourism?Cheaper long haul flights.People in MEDCs have more money and leisure time.Media coverage on TV, film and magazines.

    Promotion of tourist sites by LEDC countries.Changing tastes as people look for new and different holidays.Improvements in technology and communication. 3. Why are so many LEDCs encouraging tourism?Tourism in now the largest employer in the world and is growing by an averageof 9% a year.It provides an alternative to cash crops (e.g. coffee, cocoa) and other exportedprimary products that are slowly going down in price.Promotes positive links with other countries that may lead to trade.Most importantly it creates a huge amount of jobs.

    4. Case Study: Tourism in KenyaKenya is on the east coast of Africa and was one of the first LEDCs to developmass tourism in the 1970s.In 1997 over $450 million was earned from tourism.Why do tourists go to Kenya?Natural resources year round hot climate, sandy beaches, coral reefs andwildlife reservesMan-made resources well developed infrastructure and interesting diversity ofcultures such as Masai MaraMost tourists mix a beach holiday in Mombassa with a short safari or game drive.Nairobi Mombassa Tsavo National Park (game reserve) LEDC

    5. Attractions & Activities For TouristsATTRACTIONSWildlife & game reserves EG; the Maasai Mara Elephants, Rhinos, Lions CoastEg: Mombassa

    - White sand beaches and coral reefs- Stunning scenery- savannahs and plateaus Eg: The Rift Valley Mt Kenya- Africas second highest peak Agreeable climate with temperatures over

    20 degrees all year, lots of sunshine.- Relatively good roads, good rail links, air transport.- ACTIVITIES-

    Motorised & walking safaris, Beach holidays, Balloon/air safaris, Watersports, Walking/climbing, Cultural tours of local tribes, Fishing

    7. Advantages of tourism in Kenya Provides a major source of income intoKenyan economy 21% of foreign exchange earningsProvides jobs - 11 percent of paid employment comes from tourismJust under 1 million tourists from Germany, UK, USA provides a market for localgoodsHelps to protect wild animals & scenery and develops facilities e.g. BamburiNature Trail near Mombasa.Promotes understanding of culture

    Money is used to provide local schools and healthcare

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    Tourism has helped improve other related industries and the infrastructure.LEDC 8. Disadvantages of tourism in KenyaPoorly paid, unreliable, seasonal employment in menial jobs ( tourist numbersdropped by nearly 2/3rds between 199-1997)

    Money goes to big companies not local people (only 15% reaches Kenya fromtraditional tourism)Environment polluted and natural environments spoiled boats droppinganchors damages coral, people taking parts of coral reef, wildlife disturbed bytrucks, ground damaged & erodedConflicts between local tribes e.g. Masai Mara and Kenyan government throughexploitation of local culture.Local tribal people have been forced to change lifestyle to accommodate tourists,for example Masi people were driven off their land. Nomadic tribes forced oftheir land Local people can be exploited Overcrowding of game parks &accommodation. 90% tourists visit south & east. Wildlife disturbed - touristnumbers, mini-buses, balloons. Tourists may offend locals e.g. scantily dressed inMuslim areas. Pressure on resources like fresh water. LEDC 9. ECO-TOURISM - sustainable tourism in Kenya 1. Other activitiesdeveloped to take pressure off Safari areas - climbing, white water rafting, moredistant safaris, diving off coral coast, hotels built in west, measures to protectcoral reef. 2. Attempts made to preserve Masai way of life - improved settledhousing, controlled flow of visitors to traditional Masai village to watch dancing& selling of crafts. 3. Bamburi Nature Trail near Mombasa - old cement quarryreclaimed. No soil, plants or wildlife - trees planted, insects introduced -transformed into tropical rainforest, wildlife & tourist facilities added. 100,000

    visitors/year. 10. Case Study - Basecamp Masai Mara Set up in 1998 - The main camphas 16 tents (consisting of 32 beds). The camp activities include; Day gamedrives, nature walks, tree-planting Use of Maasai grammar to explain culture.In guest rooms furniture is made of Maasai designs, to encourage visitors tolearn more about the Maasai culture Extensive use of local material, includingdeadwood, and labour for construction. Buildings can be dismantled and takenaway safely no permanent damage. Use of a tree-top wildlife viewing post hasreduced the need for game drives Extensive use of solar energy and use ofenergy saving LED bulbs. The solar water heaters and communication systemsare powered by solar energy. Have a solar cooker at the kitchen area, as ademonstration to the local community on efficient technologies availableGarbage is sorted & composted. Has clean and well-fenced garbage disposal andcomposting areas. Waste (grey) water is collected and re-used to water plants inthe compound Use of dry toilets uses less water. Have planted an estimated25,000 trees since 2000, as part of restoring vegetation along the river nearBasecamp. Done jointly with the local community. A percentage of bed night goesto an education fund that mainly supports girl-child education. Of the 43 staff,95% are local, including 10 women promotes gender equality.