Embracing pro-poor strategies in community tourism enterprises: The case of Il-Ngwesi Community Group Ranch, Kenya.

Abstract

Tourism is increasingly becoming a major economic sector for many countries by contributing to Gross Domestic Production (GDP), income, Government revenue, employment (formal and informal), environmental conservation and trickle down effects. It is one of the important tools for addressing poverty, gender inequality and sustainable development particularly in developing countries where poverty is very common. That is why tourism has been included in the Poverty Reduction Strategies of more than 80% of low income countries. Community Tourism Enterprises (CTEs) have been popularized in a bid to improve community and individual livelihoods. Proponents of pro-poor tourism argue that the success of tourism in livelihoods improvement depends on the extent to which pro-poor strategies are integrated in tourism development. This paper used the case of Il-Ngwesi Group Ranch to examine how CTEs embrace pro-poor strategies in livelihood improvement. Information was solicited for through oral interviews, observation and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The results of the study revealed that Il-Ngwesi Community Group Ranch has embraced diverse pro- poor tourism strategies which have yielded positive socio-economic and livelihood benefits. However, community participation is still low especially in the management of Il-Ngwesi Eco-lodge as management functions are performed by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.