KENYA CULTURAL TOURISM CENTER
INTRODUCTION
Tsavo East and West National Park forms one of the largest national parks in the world and covers a, massive 4% of Kenyan’s total area. Kenya Cultural Tourism Center lies to the east of Nairobi – Mombasa highway (Bachuma Gate -100 Km from Mombasa and about 60 km from Voi town.), are endowed with variety of artifacts which of cultural homestead of commun
ities in Kenya. However, there has been some dissatisfaction on the part of cultural activities because of their areas which are not accessible. Kenya Cultural Tourism Center bridged this gap by having a display, at their site. Visitors from different parts of the world do enjoy seeing and buying the artifacts from the cultural groups not from the middle men. With this apart, there exits a variety of cultural tourism products , homesteads of different tribes in Kenya which are still unexploited and the poverty level of the communities involved are still very high. The cultural groups rich in varied cultural exhibitions like: dances handicrafts (wood carvings and basket weavers ) , attractive scenery made up of traditional villages mention but a few; area still not translating much on improvement of lively hoods of the involved communities. For maximum benefits to be realized there is need to have continuous activities on the communities involved about available cultural opportunities and promotion of coexistence between tourist and the communities through open air exhibitions for all available cultural products in the entire region. It is on these grounds that an open air market to exhibit multiethnic cultural products available in the regional needs to be realized bringing on board all the stake holders ranging from; tour operators, hoteliers, cultural exhibitions, marketers of tourism products etc. as we mark they climax of tourism sector in this center. The groups participating in this center includes:- Mijikendas, Akamba, Maasasi, Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin and Kisii, with all the traditional events in each villager. KENYA CULTURAL TOURISM CENTER
THE ORGANIZATION
Kenya Cultural Tourism Center is an organization, which was founded by Mr. Macharia and his wife Abigail Wamuyu in 2007. In 2009 the founder started Tsavo Snake park at present Kenya cultural tourism center. Over the last 2 years, the organization primary objectives has been to educate the youth in Kenya and East Africa as whole on the importance of cultural tourism and the environment. KCTC has constantly strived to champion the cause for cultural tourism of suitable development. KCTC has allocated 4 acres to be in the expansion of the cultural center and bring beach traders to sell their products there. OUR VISION
• To be a leading custodian of Kenya’s cultural tourism.
• To be the leading custodian of Kenya’s diverse cultural as a national heritage for proprieties and prosperity.
• To be a world class leaders in cultural tourism
OUT MISSION
• To preserve, maintain and promote the diverse cultures of Kenya for tourism development.
• To preserve, maintain, educate and promote the divers cultures of various ethnic groups of Kenya. COMMUNITY. The purpose of developing a community zone is to provide for an area where local communities can participate in cultural activities and drive economics benefits from this venture
It will cover cultural activities and community participation is not restricted to the dispersal area. E.g. this trail baring enterprise is a dynamic, mixed- use environments that will host 500 tourists every single day, that growth potential and season power of tourism industry representatives an un precedent investment opportunity for communities. To guidance and identification of plans of cultural importance, traditional dances that may be performed in the homesteads, sale artifacts and other traditional products which benefits the community. Others to benefit will be the beach operators from 3 counties:- Mombasa county, Kwale county and Kilifi county, the beach operators will sell their merchandise to stop harassing the tourist and allow tourist to sunbathe or relax without interference . SECURITY
Security in the center and surrounding areas will be enhanced through collaboration with other government security organs and involvement of members of the local community in gathering intelligence information and possible surveillance. TOURISM
Tourism attraction in the eco- system included wildlife, landscapes experiences and the culture of Kenya community’s. The center close proximity to Tsavo National Parks makes the center ideal for a “Stop Over” from Mombasa and to Mombasa for conference tourism. VISITOR’S ACTIVITIES
Visitors activities in the center will include viewing traditional dances, pick nicking, nature walk, filming village functions and artifacts with artifacts sellers and other businesses in the center. VISITORS SERVICES
Centre interpretation
Interpretation involves providing information to visitors to enhance their level of expectation and satisfaction. Interpretation of the center will be done using, interpretive displays, community at the village interpreters, trail leaflets and maps, these displays will be placed at the porters. To enhance visitor information, the existing tour guides will be updated and brochures developed. CENTRE PROMOTION AND MARKETING
Kenya Cultural Tourism Center has high untapped tourism potential strategies to market the center locally and internationally are in place however, their is need to enhance the implementation of the place strategies by providing a services that involves itinerary planning by tour operators (KCTV) strongly feel obligated to seek your co-operation of that we play our role in a more professional way. At the local, promotions and marketing to attract domestic tourism will be undertaker through identification of target groups and marching them with the appropriate means of automation description. Other promotional and marketing strategies will include the use of print and electronic, media, attending local trade exhibition, giving talks, providing brochures and maps to visitors to the center and working with specific tourism hotels in different localities to provide information about the center. Documentaries will be provided and distributed to media houses, Kenya mission and consulates abroad in collaboration with K.T.B electronic tourism (e-tourism) will be enhanced through the internet and websites. Taking cognizance of the high cost of maintaining the visit facilities, their shall be establishment an “adopt a site” scheme that will target corporate organization to help cover the cost revenue and gate management. ELECTRONIC TICKETING SYSTEM
The electronic ticketing system (smart –card) was introduced to replace the paper ticketing system. The objectives of the smart card system were to improve collection, visitor management system. System and collection of data. The system is obsolete and will be upgrade to the emerging technological challenges preferable on annual basis;
In order improve efficiently point of sale (POS) and point issue (POI) personnel will be trained in customer’s relations. The personnel will also be provided with uniforms for ease of identification. EDUCATION
The education programme includes lecture, video shows, guided tours of the outreach programmes to schools and other training institution. Production and dissemination of cultural education materials to the public.
