Insight from the first conference on sustainable inclusive business
Tourism in Kenya continues to be a fundamental pillar of integration and a motor of economic and social development, given its significant contribution in terms of jobs, income, foreign exchange revenue, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the eradication of poverty in Kenya.
Tourism is not only a global industry, but also a powerful movement that has influenced the human kind in an unprecedented manner. With its ever-increasing global popularity and rapid growth comes a series of increasingly complex challenges. Identifying, understanding and reacting promptly to tourism trends is essential for all stakeholders involved in hospitality and tourism. It is vital that industry leaders work together in seeking practical and innovative solutions for challenges in hospitality and tourism.
More specifically, it is necessary to encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small and medium sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential.
In this regard, it is important to establish, guidelines and regulations, in accordance with national priorities and legislation for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism.
Tour operators need to embrace sustainability; statistics shows that 21% of tourists are willing to pay more for products or services that are produced sustainably and 66% are more inclined to purchase products or services that are produced sustainably. Tour operators can now start keeping a record of their sustainability achievements through annual reports that can be availed to different stakeholders. Facts and figures indicate that the world is moving towards sustainability and inclusiveness thus the tourism sector should not be left behind.
Addressing the matter of sustainability in tourism requires action and commitment from public and private sector in the Tourism Industry, as well as the integration of measures at the regional level so as to obtain the best results.
The issue that we are confronted with in the face of climate change obliges us to take immediate actions, both preventive and responsive, in order to minimize its impact and the damage to natural resources, which form part of the tourism attractions and products promoted by our country.
