Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya

Year 2021, , 174 - 185, 15.04.2021

Elif Gunduz , Collins Agayi

https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.822245

Abstract

Tourism plays a significant role in the economic development of Kenya. However, the development of the sector continues to face challenges arising both locally and globally. This study identifies and analyses these problems and how they impact tourism activities. The study provides a brief overview of the role of international tourism by highlighting its socio-economic, environmental, and political contributions to the development of the country. Also discussed are the sustainability issues around mass tourism and the effect it has on the environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects of life in the host regions. The key to addressing the tourism sector performance is the understanding of the significant role the market plays. Focusing on this, the study examines emerging issues in the Kenyan tourism sector i.e. seasonality, overreliance on the international market, impacts of tourism infrastructure development on space among others, and their roles in shaping the tourism industry. It is established that overdependence on the international market exposes Kenyan tourism to global risks that could result in the collapse of the sector, thus negatively affecting the economy. To safeguard the country from external risks, the study proposes the strengthening of domestic tourism by encouraging local investors' participation in international tourism. The study also identifies the main problems related to tourism activities in Kenya including; pollution, destruction of cultural heritage, the threat to the health of both human and aquatic life, human-wildlife conflicts, less economic benefits to local communities and host nations dues to dominance by transnational corporations, social ills like drug abuse, luring of young girls into sex resulting into early pregnancy and school drop-out among other problems. The findings of this research are based on a review of previously done research literature, academic documents, government reports among other secondary and primary sources of data.

Keywords

culture, environment, heritage, pollution, sustainability, tourism

Supporting Institution

Yok

Project Number

-

Thanks

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Kenya'da Turizmi Faaliyetlerinin Durumu ve Etkilerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Turizm, Kenya'nın ekonomik kalkınmasında önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bununla birlikte, sektörün gelişimi hem yerel hem de küresel olarak ortaya çıkan zorluklarla karşılaşmaya devam etmektedir. Çalışma, bu sorunları belirlemekte ve bunların turizm faaliyetlerini nasıl etkilediğini analiz etmektedir. Çalışma, turizmin ülkenin kalkınmasındaki sosyo-ekonomik, çevresel ve politik katkılarını vurgulayarak uluslararası turizmin rolüne genel bir bakış sunmaktadır. Aynı zamanda kitle turizmi etrafındaki sürdürülebilirlik konuları ve bunun ev sahibi bölgelerdeki yaşamın çevresel, sosyal, ekonomik ve kültürel yönleri üzerindeki etkisi de tartışılmaktadır. Turizm sektörü performansını değerlendirmenin anahtarı, pazardaki oynadığı önemli rolü anlamaktır. Buna odaklanan çalışma, Kenya turizm sektöründe ortaya çıkan sorunları, yani mevsimsellik, uluslararası pazara aşırı güven, turizm altyapısının geliştirilmesinin mekan üzerindeki etkileri ve turizm endüstrisini şekillendirmedeki rollerini incelemektedir. Uluslararası pazara aşırı bağımlılığın Kenya turizmini sektörün çökmesine neden olabilecek küresel risklere maruz bırakarak ekonomiyi olumsuz yönde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir. Ülkeyi dış risklerden korumak için çalışma, yerel yatırımcıların uluslararası turizme katılımını teşvik ederek iç turizmin güçlendirilmesini önermektedir. Çalışma aynı zamanda Kenya'daki turizm faaliyetleri ile ilgili temel sorunları kirlilik, kültürel mirasın tahrip edilmesi, hem insan hem de su yaşamının sağlığına yönelik tehdit, insan-yaban hayatı çatışmaları, yerel topluluklara ve ev sahibi uluslara daha az ekonomik fayda, ulus ötesi şirketlerin hakimiyetine ilişkin ücretler, uyuşturucu kullanımı gibi sosyal hastalıklar, genç kızların cezbedilmesi, erken gebelik ve diğer sorunların yanı sıra okulu bırakma ile sonuçlanan seks vb tanımlamaktadır . Bu araştırmanın bulguları, daha önce yapılmış araştırma literatürünün, akademik belgelerin ve diğer ikincil ve birincil veri kaynaklarının yanı sıra hükümet raporlarının bir incelemesine dayanmaktadır.

Keywords

Kültür, çevre, miras, kirlilik, sürdürülebilirlik, turizm

Project Number

-

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