Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT)

KECOBAT was launched in August 2003 as a membership umbrella organization representing the interest of Community Based Tourism enterprises in Kenya.
WHAT CONSTITUTES ITS MEMBERSHIP?
Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTE’s) in Kenya.
CORE PROBLEM:
Gain from tourism not commensurately accrued to the community
OBJECTIVES
• Improving CBTE’s tourism knowledge and know-how,
• Attracting capital investment
• Enhancing and improving tourism products;
• Improve of service standard for CBTE’s Sector;
• Creating greater market awareness;
• Strengthening institutions and economic linkages for CBTE’s;
HOW THE ORGANIZATION IS FULFILLING THESE OBJECTIVES
• Networking communities to promote exchange of information and dissemination of the same;
• Lobbying and advocating for their interests to government and other institutions;
• Development, Marketing and promotion of products and services;
• Certification of CBTI products and services;
• Capacity building and training.
WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION?
• Executive Director;
• Coordinator;
• Project Administrator
• Two Project Assistants.
• Two Volunteers.
Overall responsibility is with the Board of Directors
VISION:
“A dynamic civil society influencing policies and stimulating actions at all levels to safeguard the interest of communities, local people and informal sectors in tourism to maximize their returns from tourism and conservation of natural and cultural resources”
MISSION
To safeguard and advance the interests and rights enjoyed by communities, local people and informal sector over tourism resources by enhancing their participation, contributing to policy and stimulating positive actions geared towards betterment of their livelihoods.
CORE VALUES
1. Community participation;
2. Respect diversity and gender equity;
3. We value quality;
4. Networking and collaboration;
5. Openness and honesty;
6. Sustainable tourism intervention;
KECOBAT MANDATE
To bring together communities involved in community based tourism (CBT) initiatives in order to ensure that benefits are commensurately accrued from tourism.
PROGRAMMES:-
• Advocacy and Education Programme for the Development of Guidelines for Community Natural Resource Based Business
• Accreditation guidelines and operation standards for homestays
• Capacity building for economic empowerment
• Market Access for enhanced visibility of CBT products in Kenya.
• Institutionalization of Central Reservation System for Promotion, Dissemination and Marketing of CBT Product and Services
• Fredkopset Norway(FK) facilitating employee exchange programme with partner country