Cultural Tourism is concerned with a country’s or regions culture, specifically in terms of lifestyle of the people, history, art, architecture, religion and all the other aspects that make up the way of living of a group of people.
Cultural tourism includes tourism in urban areas, particularly historic or large cities and their cultural facilities such as museums and theatres. It can also include tourism in rural areas showcasing the traditions of indigenous cultural communities, and their values and lifestyle.
It is generally agreed that cultural tourists spend substantially more than standard tourists do. This form of tourism is also becoming generally more popular throughout the world. A research study stated that cultural tourism can play in regional development in different world regions.
Cultural tourism is an important tool for celebrating, preserving and promoting a state’s unique heritage. It is also an effective way to stimulate a state’s economy, as it increases opportunities for artists, encourages public participation in the arts and facilitates cultural commerce.
State arts agencies can foster cultural tourism in a number of ways. For example, they can lead statewide planning efforts, provide information and training sessions, conduct research, and offer funding for local initiatives.
When international tourists visit Kenya, they come with the aim of exploring and having an experience of the wildlife or the coastal beaches, but most of the times they end up being carried away by the local cultures, thus making their stay even more interesting.
Starting with the welcoming spirit of the Kenyan people, cultural tourists visiting Kenya feel overwhelmed by the hospitality given to them by the people of the land.
A Kenyan trip not only about wildlife but also about interacting with many culture that are spread across the country. With the many communities, each one of them have their own unique cultures that distinguish them from other communities.
Starting with the Swahili sailors at the coastal region of the country, to the beautifully structured Manyatta homesteads of the Maasai on the South, then meet the Samburu warriors found on the Northern wilderness without leaving behind the Luo with their delicious fish along Lake Victoria.
All the destinations that a tourist lands tends to be even more fascinating and more interesting to experience and learn their cultures. These communities too have some festivals which they treasure so much since they believe that that’s what makes them be who they are. One cannot get enough of the annual Malindi celebrations in Lamu and the bull fighting ceremonies in Kakamega. These are just among the many more that every community practices at a given season.
With all this under one basket, Kenya continues to market itself globally as the final destination for cultural tourism.
Article by Vera Shawiza.