Implementation and management of sustainable tourism in Kenya : case study: Koija Starbeds Eco-Lodge (Kenya)
Simeoni, Crystal (2008)
2008
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024091325131
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024091325131
Tiivistelmä
The purpose and aim of this study is to explore the economics of sustainable business in the tourism sector with reference to the Koija Star Beds Eco-Lodge which is situated in Kenya (East Africa). Secondary data sources were mostly used, but a mini qualitative study with interviews was also carried out.
Tourism is a very vital component in the Kenyan economy and as a result has to be managed in a sustainable manner. Additionally, there is a global shift towards post-Fordism that moves away from mass production to segmented or niche markets. This means that new management and partnership collaboration structures need to be put into place as shown in the case study of Koija Star beds Eco-Lodge. The case venture is a tri-partnership between the community who own the land and the lodge itself, Oryx Ltd - which is a private organisation that manages the lodge and finally African Wildlife Foundation (A.W.F) which is a conservation organisation with interests in wildlife conservation as well as acting as the facilitators between the partners.
As with any other business, we cannot leave out economic performance, after all businesses are in existence to realise profits. As the income tables show, Koija Star beds Eco-Lodge does run at a profit and the different financial controls help achieve this. Of course this ties in with the concept of marketing. This is where the qualitative study was carried out - to analyse what the public conceive sustainable tourism to be vis-a-vis what is actually offered.
In all, indeed a sustainable business venture such as the one presented is feasible as well as profitable. Koija shows a clear balance between the three sustainable tourism criteria of environment, the society and profit generation. The new concept of sustainability is one that has to be embraced as a response to post Fordism and other global changes. There are still a few hiccups along the way, but this paper proves it can be done.
Tourism is a very vital component in the Kenyan economy and as a result has to be managed in a sustainable manner. Additionally, there is a global shift towards post-Fordism that moves away from mass production to segmented or niche markets. This means that new management and partnership collaboration structures need to be put into place as shown in the case study of Koija Star beds Eco-Lodge. The case venture is a tri-partnership between the community who own the land and the lodge itself, Oryx Ltd - which is a private organisation that manages the lodge and finally African Wildlife Foundation (A.W.F) which is a conservation organisation with interests in wildlife conservation as well as acting as the facilitators between the partners.
As with any other business, we cannot leave out economic performance, after all businesses are in existence to realise profits. As the income tables show, Koija Star beds Eco-Lodge does run at a profit and the different financial controls help achieve this. Of course this ties in with the concept of marketing. This is where the qualitative study was carried out - to analyse what the public conceive sustainable tourism to be vis-a-vis what is actually offered.
In all, indeed a sustainable business venture such as the one presented is feasible as well as profitable. Koija shows a clear balance between the three sustainable tourism criteria of environment, the society and profit generation. The new concept of sustainability is one that has to be embraced as a response to post Fordism and other global changes. There are still a few hiccups along the way, but this paper proves it can be done.