The Tourism Trust Fund (TTF) has once again demonstrated its commitment to improve the quality of Kenya’s tourism products as it launches the preparation of the Greater Maasai Mara Tourism Development Plan through a grant to the total value of Ksh 16.3milion.
The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dan Kagagi, said that the status of the Maasai Mara as the 7th wonder of the world, due to its unique wildlife migration, meant that every effort must be made to protect and conserve this key resource through the sustainable development of the region.

“TTF is funding the Tourism Development Plan to ensure the protection of the environment for the Greater Mara region, without which the Mara would not exist. At the same time it is critical to guide tourism investment in the region, by identifying the right type of investments in the right locations, thereby ensuring more tourism benefits for the people living in the area.” said Dr Kagagi.

Whereas TTF will provide the funds needed for the project, the Ewaso Ngiro South Development Authority (ENSDA) will drive the process of preparing the tourism development plan. The plan will provide the platform to conserve the environment, establish planning management guidelines for use by the county councils and regional development authorities, and identify and develop new tourist attractions and tourism products in the region.

Dr Kagagi observed: “With the growth of tourism, we need to develop plans that will identify new opportunities for tourism development even within tourism hotspots such as the Mara, thereby reducing pressure on the region, while giving tourists new tourism experiences, enhancing conservation of the areas and providing increased benefits to local communities’’.

He added that it is imperative that new products are developed by opening up new parts of Kenya for tourism development.

“By developing a blueprint for tourism in Maasai Mara through the tourism development plan we can help potential investors and local communities easily identify the most suitable areas to build and develop future tourism projects and accommodation. The tourism development plan will help communities work in partnership to maximise the potential of the region, while also ensuring the future protection of the region’s environment,” stated Dr Kagagi.