As part of the first component of the Blue Tourism Initiative, a pilot diagnosis on the state of blue tourism was elaborated for Diani-Shimoni, South Coast of Kenya.

The workshop, organised in Diani on October 18th, 2024, aimed to validate the pilot actions envisioned as a result of the diagnosis, with local stakeholders confirming the identified blue tourism ventures and strategies. The workshop initiated deliberations for a multi-stakeholder engagement to develop community-based tourism ventures to enhance the sector’s sustainability.

This participatory workshop included representatives from key stakeholder groups, including national and county government, NGOs, the private sector, and community leaders. These groups were identified through stakeholder mapping,  considering their interests, roles, and potential contributions to the blue tourism sector, ensuring inclusivity.

During the second component, the Blue Tourism Initiative program will launch the action plan and next steps in this coastal area, building on the results of this initial study to improve tourism strategies for conserving natural resources and promoting local economic development. The initiative will implement a community-led eco-tourism venture in Kinondo Chale, Kwale, Kenya, that supports the sector’s economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The initiative aims to benefit local communities economically by fostering links to conservation and promoting sustainable practices that protect critical coastal habitats and marine ecosystems.