Kenya Tourism Bill 2010 Petition

The petition is great and should be given the attention it deserves. Community-based attractions, facilities and services are the foundation and bedrock upon which tourism is based. Therefore, issues of local residents' empowerment, access to, and distributions of benefits and opportunities must be seriously considered and reflected in the bill. These issues are well articulated in the petition. However, the petition seems to place foreign exchange and visitors' need over local residents' and community needs. Tourism policy should also seek to promote and integrate attractions, facilities and services that cater to the socio-cultural, recreational and leisure needs of local citizens (domestic tourists) and community members. This approach would enhance the prospects of developing vibrant and continuosly evolving community tourism industries that are also socially, economically, culturally and environmentally sustainable in the long-run.