With Kenya and Tanzania both anticipating record inbound tourism numbers this year, responsible operators are promoting year-round visits to the famed Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem as one of several critical measures to reduce mounting environmental pressures, writes Dale Hes in Tourism Update (see link below)
Peak seasons for Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park coincide with the Great Migration’s calving season from January to March, and the dry season from June to August.
The World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Report for Tanzania (published November 2024) highlights that the number of beds in the Serengeti vastly exceeds the targets laid out in the national park’s 2014-2024 General Management Plan (GMP).
Park authorities have sought to clamp down on over-tourism and irresponsible tourism practices with measures ranging from strengthened law enforcement, to refinement of codes of conduct, park fee increases and entry bans for private vehicles.
Jeremiah Chege, Head of Sales & Marketing at Sense of Africa East Africa, said that promotion of year-round travel was a critical cog in the DMC’s efforts to assist government. “The migration occurs for most of the year and even the rainy seasons are not as wet as was the case years ago. As a company, we have marketed the region as an all-year destination and adhere strictly to all park rules and regulations: we do not encourage overcrowding around sightings or going off road in any of the parks.”
Chege touted additional measures such as seasonal pricing for park fees; stricter quality assurance auditing of properties and operators; and the aggressive marketing and development of alternative national parks and reserves.
Jenieen van den Heever, COO at Ker & Downey Africa, emphasised the vital responsibility operators had in mitigating overtourism. “As tour operators, we must collaborate and work with the authorities to manage the number of visitors allowed into these beautiful parks. For us, the focus is on private conservancies where the impact is lower, and crowds are fewer,” Van den Heever said. “However, the overall impact on the environment remains a concern. We believe that making a difference requires close collaboration with governing bodies, local communities, and the properties in these areas. We will continue to support our partners who focus on conservation projects,” she added.
Shifting from volumes to value
The World Bank suggested that the Tanzanian government revise its inbound tourism targets from volumes (the country aims to attract five million tourists by the end of 2025) to value generated per tourist.
A more resilient approach is to focus on yield per visitor and trip (in relation to the fees paid and length of stay), rather than number of visitors, in order to maximise nett-positive benefits to the environment and economy.”
Van den Heever said that this approach had the dual purpose of protecting the environment and aligning with current traveller trends. “Encouraging longer stays and offering high-value experiences can generate greater economic impact while reducing strain on the environment. As travellers increasingly focus on giving back and creating a positive impact, we expect visitors to invest more in experiences that minimise environmental damage,” she pointed out.
Encouraging longer stays and offering high-value experiences can generate greater economic impact while reducing strain on the environment.
Comments