Women Economic Empowerment Through Production and Supply of Local Agricultural Produce to Tourist Hotel

Project Overview

From July 2016 to June 2018, the African Propoor Tourism Development Centre implemented a transformative economic empowerment initiative titled “Women Economic Empowerment Through Production and Supply of Local Agricultural Produce to Tourist Hotels in Amboseli.” This two-year project, financed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Tech 4 Trade, was implemented in the Amboseli and Kimana areas, strategically positioning women groups as suppliers to the vibrant tourism industry in the region. The project specifically targeted women groups, including those comprising people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs), creating sustainable market linkages between local agricultural producers and high-end tourist establishments.

Project Rationale

The project addressed several critical development challenges:

• Limited economic opportunities for women in tourism-adjacent communities
• Disconnect between local agricultural production and the tourism supply chain
• Need for sustainable income generation for vulnerable groups, particularly PLHIVs
• Overdependence on tourism employment rather than entrepreneurial opportunities
• High importation of agricultural products by hotels despite local production capacity
• Limited access to financial services and business skills among women producers

Key Objectives

The initiative aimed to:

• Create sustainable economic opportunities for women through tourism supply chains
• Enhance business management capacities among women’s groups
• Establish direct market linkages between producers and tourist hotels
• Improve access to financial services for women entrepreneurs
• Develop a replicable model for inclusive tourism supply chains
• Generate reliable income streams for households affected by HIV/AIDS

Implementation Strategy

The project followed a comprehensive approach to building both capacity and market connections:

1. Identification and Selection: Systematic mapping and selection of women groups with potential to supply tourist facilities
2. Capacity Development: Training on business management skills tailored to the tourism supply context
3. Market Linkage: Facilitation of direct connections with Serena Hotels operating in Amboseli
4. Financial Inclusion: Creating pathways to micro-financing for production enhancement
5. Supply Chain Coordination: Ongoing facilitation and quality assurance of agricultural supplies

Key Achievements

The project yielded significant results during its implementation period:

• Four women groups comprising people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) were successfully trained in business management
• 100 direct group members and their families established sustainable income streams
• Created reliable supply relationships with Serena Hotels in Amboseli National Park
• Improved quality standards of local agricultural production to meet hotel requirements
• Enhanced business acumen and financial literacy among participating women
• Established a functional model for integrating local producers into tourism value chains

Challenges and Solutions

The initiative addressed several implementation challenges:

• Initial quality concerns from Serena Hotels regarding local produce
• Seasonality of both agricultural production and tourism flows
• Limited transportation infrastructure for timely delivery
• Varying capacity levels among different women groups

These challenges were overcome through:

• Intensive quality control training and standards development
• Diversification of crops and production scheduling
• Collaborative transport arrangements
• Peer-to-peer mentoring between more established and newer groups

Long-term Impact

The project created lasting economic structures with benefits extending beyond the project period:

• Established business relationships between women producers and Serena Hotels continued post-project
• Increased household incomes led to improved nutrition, education access, and healthcare for families
• Enhanced status of women as economic contributors within their communities
• Creation of role models encouraging other community members to pursue entrepreneurship
• Strengthened resilience of households affected by HIV/AIDS through reliable income sources
• Demonstration of viable local procurement models for the tourism industry

Conclusion

The “Women Economic Empowerment Through Production and Supply of Local Agricultural Produce to Tourist Hotels in Amboseli” project exemplifies how tourism can be leveraged as a market opportunity for local communities, particularly vulnerable groups. By strategically connecting women producers with Serena Hotels, the African Propoor Tourism Development Centre created sustainable economic pathways that simultaneously addressed gender equality, HIV/AIDS support, and inclusive tourism development. The success with 100 direct beneficiaries and their families demonstrates the potential for scaling this approach to other tourism destinations, creating more inclusive and locally-beneficial tourism economies throughout Kenya and beyond.