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Tourism
Tourism is an important and growing economic
sector for East Africa. Economic revenues from
tourism for Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda,
Uganda, DRC and Tanzania amount to an annual
average of over USD 7 billion (World Bank, 2015).
Mountains and mountain ecosystems are popular
destinations for trekkers, mountain climbers, and
for experiencing wildlife and spectacular scenery.
As an example, tourists visiting Mount Kilimanjaro
contribute over a third of Tanzania’s total revenues
from tourism (UNEP, 2014). In areas where there
are few alternative livelihood opportunities besides
agriculture, tourism can bring in the much needed
income through selling home-made products,
guiding tours, and providing pottering services
or employment in hotels and lodges (Alweny and
Gatarabirwa, 2014; Debarbieux et al., 2014; UNEP,
2014). In recent years, there has been a growing
interest in developing ecotourism in mountainous
areas in Africa (Alweny and Gatarabirwa, 2014).
Tourism mountain lodge, Arusha, Tanzania