Tourexpi
Tanzanian tour operators protest foreign influence in Kilimanjaro trekking industry
Tour
operators in Tanzania are alarmed by the increasing foreign influence in the
Mount Kilimanjaro trekking industry, which they fear threatens local businesses
and porters' livelihoods.
The
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), operating under the Kilimanjaro
Responsible Trekking Organization (KRTO), has introduced strict ethical
guidelines that operators claim disproportionately favor foreign companies,
ditching Tanzanian businesses.
"KPAP’s
influence is making it increasingly difficult for us to compete," said
Yona Samwel, owner of Almighty Kilimanjaro Ltd.
"We're
being forced to align with KPAP's rules or risk losing our business. This
situation benefits foreign companies at our expense," Samwel said.
Mount
Kilimanjaro, a global tourism hotspot, attracts 56,000 climbers annually,
generating approximately $50 million in revenue. Tourism is a cornerstone of
Tanzania's economy, contributing 19% to its GDP and accounting for 25% of
foreign exchange earnings.
KPAP’s
guidelines on gear, wages and working conditions have been praised globally,
but local operators argue they burden businesses. They claim these standards
have caused a drop in foreign travel agents' business, who now favor
KPAP-certified, mostly foreign-owned companies.
"KPAP
has labeled many local companies as irresponsible," Samwel said.
"This has caused a significant drop in business, as foreign agents now
only partner with KPAP-certified companies. This puts our livelihoods at
serious risk."
KPAP
currently lists 150 companies as compliant with its standards, of which 105 are
foreign-owned and only 45 are local. This disparity, local operators argue,
violates Tanzania's Tourism Act, which reserves mountain climbing and trekking
businesses for local operators.
"The
law is clear—this industry is supposed to be dominated by local
businesses," Samwel asserted. "But KPAP's actions are enabling
foreign companies to take over, effectively pushing us out of our own
market."
The
situation has also raised concerns among Kilimanjaro porters, who fear
widespread unemployment if local companies continue to struggle.
"Our
porters are losing jobs at an alarming rate," said Edson Mpemba, a leader
of Kilimanjaro porters. "If local companies collapse, thousands of porters
will be left jobless. This is not just a business issue—it’s about the survival
of those who depend on this mountain."
Porters,
often the unsung heroes of Kilimanjaro expeditions, are crucial to the success
of trekking operations but are frequently underpaid.
"We
work so hard, but our wages are meager," said Juma Abdallah, a porter from
Kiraracha village. "Some companies neglect our well-being entirely."
The
Tanzania Porters Organization (TPO) has also expressed concern over KPAP's
growing influence.
"They're
trying to control the entire tourism business. It is an insult to us" said
Loshiye Mollel, TPO's executive secretary.
Theresa
Mugobi, director of tourism at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism,
declined to comment.
Kelvin
Salla, the chief executive officer of KRTO, denied the allegations, asserting
that KPAP's mission is to ensure the ethical treatment of trekking crews and
their participation is voluntary.
Text and Image Credit: © AA
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