Relative importance of conservation areas in Kenya based on diverse tourist attractions

Abstract

Analysis is made on the contribution of the "big five" large mammals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) against other tourism attractions in Kenya, Africa. When conservation areas in Kenya were systematically ranked for attractions and performance it was shown that other large animal species, cultural attractions and physical features respectively and not the "big five" were of greater importance. Marketing of the "big five" by most tourism industry stakeholders has led to the harassment of the "big five" mammals in their habitats, and a small and narrow range of tourism product for Kenya implying a need to review marketing in Kenya.