Abstract:
Regional tourism is seen as a way of diversifying tourism in order to revitalize the
economy at the marginalized lands. However, development of regional tourism has
numerous challenges. This study identified challenges confronting tourism development
in the North Rift region of Kenya by reviewing related literature, carrying out interviews
with officials from six hotels and four tour companies. Two Kenya Tourist Board officials
were also interviewed, and field observations utilized. Key challenges confronting
tourism development in the region related to development of tourism products,
accessibility, marketing, coordination among stakeholders and insecurity. These
problems must be addressed jointly by the central government, local governments, hotels,
tour operators and the host community if meaningful tourism is to be realized.
