Sustainable Tourism - Keeping the Magic Alive!
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d r e c a o w w a arrior SuStainable touriSm - Keeping the magic alive! This Publication is published by Ecotourism Kenya and targets readers interested in topics addressing linkages between tourism and conservation of nature and cultural values at destinations. The magazine is distributed free of charge to registered, affiliate and associate members of Ecotourism Kenya. The organization permits the use of any information material contained in this publication by any interested party on condition that the user clearly acknowledges Ecotourism Kenya and quotes the specific source edition of the magazine. If in doubt or wish to seek clarification, please write to or call the Editor using the following address and contacts: Contents Ecotourism Kenya KATO Place, Longonot Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Foreword - Message from the Chairman 3 P.O. Box 10146-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone: +254 (0)20 2574059 Mobile: +254 (0)726366080 About Ecotourism Kenya 4 Email: [email protected] www.ecotourismkenya.org About the Ecowarrior Award 5 EK Board Members 2014/2015: List of Judges 5 Chairman: Dr. Mohanjeet Brar (Commercial Director, Gamewatchers Safaris) The 2015 Ecotourism Community Conservancy of the Year 6 Secretary: Elizabeth Kimotho (Director, Exclusive Eco-Travels) The 2015 Ecotourism Eco-rated Lodge of the Year 8 Treasurer: George Kamau (Marketing/Reservations Manager, Lake Nakuru Lodge) Members: Edith Bosire (Principal Associate, EED Advisory), Jacinta Nzioka (Ag. Director of Marketing, Kenya Tourism The 2015 Ecotourism Eco-rated Tented Camp of the Year 10 Board), Herbert Mwachiro (Regional CSR Manager, Institute for Education in Democracy), Grace Nderitu (CEO, Ecotourism Kenya), Ali Allport (Community and Conservation Manager, The Safari Collection), Elizabeth Gitari (Legal advisor). The 2015 Ecotourism Community Owned Enterprise of the Year 12 Chair, Finance & Fundraising Sub-committee: Dr. Mohanjeet Brar The 2015 Ecotourism Eco-rated Hotel of the Year 14 Chair, Eco-Rating Sub-committee: Jane Kahata The 2015 Ecotourism Tour Operator of the Year 16 Chair, Community Outreach committee: Elizabeth Mumo Chair, PR & Marketing Sub-committee: Fiona Ngesa The 2015 Ecotourism Training Institute of the Year 18 Chair, Events and Training Sub- committee: Herbert Mwachiro The 2015 Ecotourism Safari Airline of the Year 20 EK Secretariat: Grace Nderitu, Terryann Mutindi, Andrew Karanja, Lynnet Kamonde, Joyce Kiruri and David Okul The 2015 Ecotourism Private Conservancy of the Year 22 EK Interns and Volunteers: Sheila Chelangat and Job Ochieng Raffle Sponsors 24 Editorial Team: Grace Nderitu and Terryanne Mutindi Editor: Phoebe Munyoro Advertising: Terryanne Mutindi Cover Photo: Courtesy of Watamu Marine Association Design & Layout: Jacqueline Omutimba Sunburst Communications Ltd [email protected], [email protected] 2 The world marked the world tourism day on 27th Ecotourism Kenya has recognized the importance Message September 2015 and celebrated a record 1.4 billion of sustainability and through its programs, the eco- travelers in the year 2014. Tourism has now been rating certification scheme, the community enterprises from the recognized as the fastest growing global international support and development initiatives and the eco warrior trade market, providing countless job opportunities awards, we strive to harmonize the link between the for local people. This is good news for all tourism community, conservation and tourism. These are all stakeholders, especially in Kenya where tourism is the meant at promoting responsible travel to natural areas, Chair second largest foreign exchange earner, among the ensuring industry players make a positive contribution largest employer and forms part of the vision 2030 to environmental conservation, and enhancing the well millennia goals. We have gone through some very being of local communities. difficult years in Kenya however the Government of Kenya has taken significant steps to improve the security The 2015 Eco-warrior awards are a call for sustainable for its citizens and visitors and is working hand in hand tourism practices by all tourism stakeholders to ensure with countries like the United States and the U.K. the magic of travelling that was experienced yesterday, which have among the best intelligence and security is enhanced today and also enjoyed tomorrow by our departments in the world and who are also facing the future children. Each year we recognize these winners global terrorism threat. This in conjunction with the in sustainable tourism along with those that have made ongoing PR campaigns and agent familiarization trips it to the prestigious short-listing. For it is the winners will assist in getting Kenya’s tourism back on track. along with those that are short-listed that are leaders in sustainable tourism in our country! By celebrating Tourism activities of whatever scale impact on the innovation and leadership in responsible tourism, foreword Ecotourism Kenya promotes the spirit of sustainability. natural environment and on socio-cultural aspects. For foreword the existence of our planet and the survival of the tourism Ecotourism Kenya promises to continue to forge new industry both in Kenya and globally, it is important relationships between development and environment, foreword that tourism, while meeting the economic and social and between tourism and the local people. We are needs of the present, must not undermine the fragile proud that Kenya as a pioneer in eco-tourism continues foreword to lead the way globally in sustainable tourism. ecosystems’ ability to regenerate and compromise the foreword ability of future generations to meet their own needs. foreword foreword 3 About Ecotourism Kenya Ecotourism Kenya is a civil society sustainable tourism, and attract membership firsts: it was the first Ecotourism Society organization directly serving more than 550 beyond the mainstream tourism industry. in Africa; the first to develop a voluntary members, and reaching out to hundreds more These includes; organizing international eco-certification scheme for hotels/lodges in Kenya and East Africa. Since its inception conferences and training workshops to in Africa and the first to publish a Green in 1996 Ecotourism Kenya has been involved developing guidelines, codes of conduct, best Directory of producers of green products and in a wide range of activities to promote practices and a Green Eco-rating certification services. and broaden the industry understanding of scheme. Ecotourism Kenya has had many 4 List of Judges About the 1. David Chiawo - Strathmore University Ecowarrior 2. Tom Lesagre - KPSGA 3. Yusuf Mohammed - Tourism Fund d 5. Boniface Odiara - Technical University Award r a 6. Carlo Chege - AWF e c w o a Launched by Ecotourism Kenya in 2005, the r 7. Peter Hertz - LWF warrio Eco Warrior Awards honour creativity within the 8. Jacqueline Odudoh - KATO tourism industry in Kenya and is meant to inspire 9. Leah Nganga - KAHC innovative actions to protect the environment and 10.Dr. Shem Maingi - Kenyatta University integrate local people into the business of tourism. The 11.David Kuria - KENVO overall goal is to transform destination Kenya to a sustainable tourism destination. The award provides Ecotourism Kenya with an opportunity 12. Judy Kepha - Gona - STTA (Chief Judge) to recognize and reward innovations in sustainable tourism while supplying information on best practices. Among the values emphasized by the award are Judges Tier 3 innovations that respect the environment, respect local people and cultures, 1. Jacinta Nzioka impacts on local economies and empower local communities, practice of Sustainability Committee - KTB ecotourism, provide opportunities for linkages with local communities and 2. Fiona Ngesa promote good environmental governance. The winners must demonstrate Sustainability Committee - KTB innovation in any one or more of these areas. 3. Fred Okeyo Sustainability Committee - KTB 4. Daniel Karira Sustainability Committee - KTB 5 The 2015 Ecotourism Naboisho 1 Community Conservancy of the Year Conservancy 6 Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a private conservancy located adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Conservancy was formed by a number of investors in partnership with the local community. It is a model community conservancy project that has demonstrated how tourism can benefit conservation and the local community. The conservancy’s outstanding sustainability attributes that earned it the title include; 1. Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. 2. Formation of strategic partnerships to magnify sustainability. 3. Research based decision making on sustainability matters. 4. Innovative approach in conserving and protecting wildlife areas while making conservation economically beneficial to the community through sustainable tourism practices. MNC is a model community conservancy project that has demonstrated how tourism can benefit conservation and the local community. All nominees • Mara Naboisho Conservancy • Tawi Conservancy • Il Ngwesi Group Ranch • Westgate Conservancy 7 The 2015 Ecotourism 2 Eco-rated Lodge of the Year Sirikoi Lodge 8 Sirikoi Lodge is a small, family-run lodge located within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on the Northern slopes of Mt Kenya and is a Gold Eco-rated facility by Ecotourism Kenya. The area has an abundance of wildlife that include endangered species suchas black rhino, white rhino and Grevy’s zebra. Sirikoi is run from solar energy, has its own organic vegetable and fruit garden,