Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Access to fi nancing is a challenge and concern for tour operators.
Some tour operators have diffi culty obtaining fi nancing to support key
activities such as marketing, staff retention, professional development, or
facility/equipment upgrades. When institutional fi nancing is not available,
operators must search out alternate sources (e.g., family and friends), but
this can create diffi cult and stressful situations. Operators feel that they
lack access to government grants or assistance.
Opportunities
The Mt. Kenya's outdoor adventure segment has massive untapped
potential given the vast, undeveloped natural environment of the area. The
diversity of the natural environment provides ideal locations for both hard
adventure such as mountaineering and soft adventure such as nature trails
and bird watching. Operators increasingly recognize that outdoor adventure
tourism attracts a global market. Internet technologies and online marketing
provide new ways to advertise and reach potential clients. Operators
are taking advantage of websites to promote their business (e.g., posting
videos about their products), and participate in networking and collective
marketing activities through social media (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, blogs,
forums, etc.). A key benefi t to having an Internet presence is that it enables
clients to research their own trips and fi nd operators. Global Internet use
is expected to increase, so it will be increasingly important for operators
to develop Web capabilities in their business. Many are already taking
advantage of these technologies.
Tourists are becoming ever more sensitive to the environmental impact
of their travel choices. Environmental tourism is a trend that Mt. Kenya
operators can capitalize on, as demand intensifi es for activities with minimal
or no impact on the natural environment, such as canoeing, kayaking and
hiking. Operators believe tourists will increasingly choose to visit—and
be willing to pay more for—camps that are self-suffi cient and green (i.e.,
equipped with solar heating/lighting, etc.). An opportunity operators on
Mt. Kenya are not currently taking advantage of is soft adventure offerings
such as bird watching and trout fi shing aimed at business travellers.
Threats
The high cost of operation for camps, high fuel and transportation prices
make it diffi cult for operators to realize high profi ts. Rising fuel prices affect
all aspects of business. The effect is particularly noticeable in the cost of
aircraft charters and driving costs, but also skews food and supply costs.
Increased insecurity in the study area has affected some operators and some
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