Community Based Tourism

Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context

Benefits:



Income generation based on existing skills



Employment for men and women



Preservation of culture

Lessons learned:



CBT has more chance of success when based upon skills and attractions which are part

of the traditional way-of-life;



‘Community’ has to be clearly defined by all locals and represented by an organization

accepted by all stakeholders;



Business management should be guided by skilled individuals with a mandate specified

by a contract;



Employment may be more important than maximum financial returns;



Needs right partners to increase the business profitability for mutual advantage.

Source: (SNV, 2001)

Six Kenyan CBT sites that were evaluated in this case shared similar goals and membership

structures. That they were community-owned, communities are fully involved in the

development and management and also they are the main beneficiaries.

1) Il Ngwesi: Developed in 1982 as a communally owned ranch established to avert

human–wildlife conflict based on a membership scheme in which there are 448 households

representing about 5520 members. It was a product of the Conservation of Biodiverse

Resource Areas (COBRA) initiative funded by USAID and supported by both African

Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The initiative started as a

tented camp in partnership with Camel Trek Safaris, a private company. To maximize

benefits from tourism, a 12-bed lodge started its operation in 1996.

2) Tasia: Developed in 1999, as a communally owned group ranch lodge, influenced by the

success of Il Ngwesi Group Ranch. Land is set apart for conservation and for the grazing

needs. Tasia Lodge developed with partnership between the community and a private

company.

CASE 11 – Kenya: 6 CBT sites

Best Practice Point:

Extensive research on locals

SNV applied a long process of research in studying locals to gain a real understanding of

their opinions, needs, skills and power relations to achieve the ideal participatory

planning in developing a successful CBT program.