The impact of a tropical holiday resort on its environment: The example of Diani Beach in Kenya

Abstract

The economic value of tourism in developing countries — an issue? Kenya, as other developing countries, develops its tourism, principally to take advantage of its economic benefits. So far Kenya is convinced about these benefits. More doubts, however, have been raised elsewhere, including certain industrialized donor countries. One objection bases on the opinion that developing countries would obtain only minor returns from tourism. This pre‐occupancy confuses the whole travel package (which includes air‐fare, services rendered in the countries of origin and the margin for foreign tour operators) and services rendered in Kenya. As has been shown in this Ministry even for travel packages Kenya receives some 57 % of net returns (value added) in foreign exchange (F.E.). Hotel services in Kenya alone account for some 85 % of net receipts in F.E. In the particular case of imported wines and liquors it could be proved that one Shilling spent for imports yields eight Shillings in F.E.