Abstract:

Tourism plays a significant role in the economic development of Kenya. However, the development of the sector continues to face challenges arising both locally and globally. This study identifies and analyses these problems and how they impact tourism activities. The study provides a brief overview of the role of international tourism by highlighting its socio-economic, environmental, and political contributions to the development of the country. Also discussed are the sustainability issues around mass tourism and the effect it has on the environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects of life in the host regions. The key to addressing the tourism sector performance is the understanding of the significant role the market plays. Focusing on this, the study examines emerging issues in the Kenyan tourism sector i.e. seasonality, overreliance on the international market, impacts of tourism infrastructure development on space among others, and their roles in shaping the tourism industry. It is established that overdependence on the international market exposes Kenyan tourism to global risks that could result in the collapse of the sector, thus negatively affecting the economy. To safeguard the country from external risks, the study proposes the strengthening of domestic tourism by encouraging local investors' participation in international tourism. The study also identifies the main problems related to tourism activities in Kenya including; pollution, destruction of cultural heritage, the threat to the health of both human and aquatic life, human-wildlife conflicts, less economic benefits to local communities and host nations dues to dominance by transnational corporations, social ills like drug abuse, luring of young girls into sex resulting into early pregnancy and school drop-out among other problems. The findings of this research are based on a review of previously done research literature, academic documents, government reports among other secondary and primary sources of data.

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