Climate Change and the Tourism Sector

This briefing note examines the vulnerability of Kenya's tourism sector to climate change, detailing specific environmental risks, economic impacts, and strategies for business adaptation and emission reduction to promote sustainable tourism.

• Tourism is a critical economic driver for Kenya, serving as the country's third largest source of foreign exchange after coffee and tea exports. In 2011, the sector generated US$ 4.7 billion, contributed approximately 14 per cent to GDP, and employed about 12 per cent of the national workforce. Wildlife tourism is the dominant segment, accounting for roughly 70 per cent of tourism revenue.
• Climate change has already caused tangible disruptions to Kenyan tourism infrastructure and destinations. In mid-2012, flooding and earth movement damage forced the closure of the main highway to the Masai Mara National Reserve for three days, and the city of Mombasa also experienced flooding during the same period.
• Kenya's National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) identifies several future risks to the tourism business, including the high vulnerability of coastal and island destinations to sea level rise, storms, and erosion. Additionally, rising average annual temperatures may eliminate sensitive attractions such as coastal rainforests, marine ecosystems, and the glaciers of Mount Kenya.
• Climate-driven environmental changes are negatively impacting wildlife and biodiversity. Droughts have pushed lions closer to human settlements, increasing human-wildlife conflict, and caused an anthrax outbreak in 2007 that severely threatened the Grevy’s Zebra population in Samburu National Reserve. Furthermore, reduced flows in the Mara River have hindered the migration of wildebeests from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve.
• While the tourism sector's greenhouse gas emissions are low—representing less than one per cent of Kenya's national emissions and primarily stemming from energy and transport—there are opportunities for businesses to reduce their footprint. Recommended actions include installing LED lighting, using solar thermal hot water systems, and implementing sensors and timers for heating and lighting.
• Sustainable tourism is presented as an economic opportunity for Kenyan operators. This includes adopting responsible practices such as using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and supporting local communities. An example is found in the Laikipia region, where some community lodges transitioned from livestock to wildlife conservation and share profits with the local community.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2014). Climate Change and the Tourism Sector. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Climate-Change-and-the-Tourism-Sector.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Climate Change and the Tourism Sector. 2014. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Climate-Change-and-the-Tourism-Sector.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Climate Change and the Tourism Sector |date=April 2014 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Climate-Change-and-the-Tourism-Sector.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2014climate, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Climate Change and the Tourism Sector}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2014}, month = apr, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Climate-Change-and-the-Tourism-Sector.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }