A Review of the Future of Tourism in Coastal Kenya: The Challenges and Opportunities Posed by Climate Change

Abstract

The Kenyan economy highly depends on agriculture and tourism. The performance of the two sectors of the economy are however very vulnerable to the effects of climate/weather variability. The main tourist attractions along the coastal Kenya are the historical and heritage sites such as the Vasco Da Gama Pillar, ruin of Gedi and the Fort Jesus, the coastal beaches, rainforests and marine parks. Climate variability and climate change is experienced globally; the changes and its impacts however vary both spatially and temporally. This study reviewed the future changes in climate over coastal Kenya and its effects on the tourism sector in the region. It employed both desk top review of literature in the two fields; tourism and climate changes and statistical analysis. The temperature, precipitation and floods are projected to increase in Kenya at large. These are likely to lead to sea-level rise that is expected to cause flooding and inundation of coast lines. This is a potential threat to coastal environment: low-lying coastal plains, islands, beaches, coastal wetlands and estuaries. These in turn lead to problems such as destruction of infrastructure and some tourism cites along the coast. This will hamper tourism at the coast reducing the revenue collection for Mombasa county and national governments. The study recommends that both the national and county governments sensitize several sectors on the causes and implications of climate change, and explore and develop non-nature-based tourism products and services.