Tourist Dhow Analysis

It is one of GVI’s objectives to analyse the socio-economic impact of tourism operations within the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area (KMMPA) and to ascertain the sustainability of the increasing levels of human-dolphin interaction.  Through doing so GVI hope to identify existing problems and to propose constructive changes that would assist tour companies, boat operators and local residents to run dolphin watching activities sustainably.

In order to assess the quality of the dolphin watching tours GVI spend the day aboard tourist dhows.  During their time aboard they will begin by giving a brief 3-5 minute introduction covering what GVI is doing in the area, the aims and objectives of the socio-economic impact of the dolphin watching industry project, and the research methodology that GVI is undertaking.  This being the analysis to tourist questionnaires that some of them will be asked to complete at the end of their trip.   

During the period of July – September 2009, 32 questionnaires were returned indicating that over 75% of visitors were under the age of 50 and that the vast majority were of British nationality, followed by French, then Dutch and German.  This emphasises the need for local operators to have good English and European language skills, an area which GVI are assisting in by offering English, French and Italian lessons, in Mkwiro and Shimoni.

 Dolphin playing with seaweed 2009-02-26

Although one third of visitors had been to Kenya before most were going to be in the country for 14 days or more, with the main reason being safaris followed by beaches; the culture; dolphin-watching then the coral reefs.  Perhaps indicating a need to advertise more effectively to the tourist market?  A comment supported by the fact that most booking for the dolphin watching appeared to be opportunistic with 27% booking through beach boys, 17% at the hotel, 7% through a taxi driver and 3% at the Shimoni jetty.  Only 46% were booked in advance through travel agents, friends and the internet. 

Over one half had also been on dolphin watching tours previously in countries such as Egypt, Spain and Australia.  The importance that they placed on this tour was: 

1.  Close observation of dolphins from the boat
2.  Learn about whales and dolphins
3.  Watching dolphin behaviour
4.  Seeing other marine mammals (whales)
5.  Taking photographs
6.  Swimming with dolphins

Although swimming with dolphins was of least importance overall to most of the visitors, 52% indicated that it was a quite or extremely important aspect of their experience … an aspect which is prohibited by the KWS Code of Conduct for responsible wildlife watching.  As tourists will base their experience on their expectations, steps should be made to rectify why they are expecting this from their tour, and to clearly state this is not available. 

Tourist dhow in Mpunguti Marine reserve

Other areas of concern which did not meet the visitors expectations were health and safety, learning about the dolphins and education about the area, with each of these rating poor or very poor.  However, many areas were rated highly such as tour operator, time taken for the tour and photographic opportunities, closely followed by seeing dolphins and learning about the environment scenery.

Taking this into consideration 90% of visitors considered the trip to be value for money, with most tourists paying between $50-75 (US) for their trip.  Additionally, two thirds also advised that they would pay up to a further $20 (US) as a conservation fee for the dolphin trip.  This together with other recommendations made by the tourists to provide more training for guides, not to damage coral reef by anchors and to have fewer boats surrounding groups of dolphins show a inclination towards conservation.  If these areas can be tackled by the local boat operators, tour companies and local residents, this is definitely a positive step towards ensuring the sustainability of dolphin-watching within the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area.