| dc.description.abstract | One major industry that could thrive in the Lamu
archipelago is the tourist industry. Lamu's attraction
for tourism includes socio-historical aspects, marine as
well as wildlife resources. As long as Lamu remains the
unique place it is now, there would seem to be no limit
to the level of tourism it would be possible to achieve.
Just what level and how long, if allowed unchecked, the
influx of tourists would take to 'destroy' the things they
come to see is unknown, but it must not be allowed to
happen. If the encouragement of the tourist industry
requi~es the conservation of the existing fabric then this
development as such.
This study was undertaken by using questionnaires,
personal interviews, observations as well as through
published materials. The purpos~ was to find out the
present level and trend of tourism in Lamu, the opinion
of the local people as well as the opinions of the
tourists themselves on tourism development in Lamu
archipelago. The level and standard of facilities and
services were also analysed.
From the study it was ,observed that there are
various problems which exist and hinder the development
of tourism and the general economy in Lamu. The prominent
ones being poor communication, scarcity of safe
drinking water and unint.eg-rated pattern of the t.ourist
industry in general in the Lamuregion.The major
findings were that tourism in the Lamu archipelago is
basically concentrated on Lamu town and hence as a
result brought about a number Bf negative impacts. At
present the vi.si.t.osr to Lamu arrive mainly in the months
of April, August and December, are mainly of low and
medium spending type. They come mainly by road, are
predominantly of European o.ri qLn+and are usually below
44 years old. Lamu attracts a selective tourist market,
basically those interested in 'architecture and natural
history' and' culture and folklore'. Majority of the
visitors gained a favourable impression of Lamu and many
expressed the wish to return.
All respondents were in favour of the industry spread-
ing to other islands and with the recent gazettment of the
the National Reserve' and the 'Kiunga Marine National
Reserve', a possibility of integrating the tourist visits
with further enhanced. | en |
