Effect of Wildebeest Migration Pattern on Sustainability of Tourism Development at Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem: A Transboundary Resource Management Perspective

Abstract

Sustainable tourism development in the Serengeti-Mara region seemingly depends largely on the wildebeest migration phenomenon. This is particularly due to its appeal to the tourist and its classification as one of the new wonders of the world by UNESCO. The phenomenon has over the years been used as a flagship/marketing tool to project the ecosystem as a leading tourism destination. This has resulted in proportionate flow of tourist to the region to witness this unique occurrence. Development of facilities to meet demands of tourists has also grown in tandem. However, continuity/persistence of the phenomenon has not been interrogated. Environmental management, resource use practices & other human activities on either side of the Kenya-Tanzania boundary have begun to alter the spectacular nature of the migration. Eventually, this trend may truncate the phenomenon altogether. This questions sustainability of tourism development. The main objective of this study was to assess the role of the wildebeest migration phenomenon in sustainable tourism development in the MSE. This was done by interrogating continuity of the phenomenon from a transboundary resource use and management perspective.