Local tour operators in the Kilimanjaro region are concerned that the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) seems to favour foreign operators over locals.

KPAP’s mission to ensure fair treatment of porters is praised but local operators feel KPAP discriminates against them by encouraging tourism agents in Europe and the US to only use KPAP-affiliated operators.

“Porters and operators have no problem at all. KPAP is the problem,” one of the local tour operators, who prefers to remain anonymous, told Tourism Update.

“KPAP decides who will get business and who won’t and they publicly tell the agents and individual clients that they shouldn’t work with companies that are not their partners despite the fact that we all pay for the licence under our government’s law.”

KPAP’s mission

Mount Kilimanjaro is a global tourism hotspot attracting over 56 000 climbers every year and generating around US$50 million in revenue. Established in 2020, KPAP aims to, free of charge, advocate for better working conditions on behalf of porters – the unsung heroes who ensure climbers reach the summit – including three meals a day when climbing, payment of wages within 48 hours of descent, a 20kg weight limit, transparent tipping, enough space to sleep, safe gear and ensuring professional behaviour through a voluntary monitoring programme.

‘Guidelines too restrictive’

Some local operators believe KPAP’s guidelines and foreign operator support have reduced their income.

The local tour operator informing Tourism Update claims his income dropped by 60% when KPAP announced his failure to meet an 85% performance level since February this year.

“The words they use are wrong and not good for business as anyone would think we are criminals. While they only have 40 companies registered, we are over 200 companies licensed for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing trips. We are all in Tanzania but those who aren’t part of KPAP are labelled as not good at all and not allowed to operate in our country.”

Yona Samweli, another tour operator taking travellers up Mount Kilimanjaro, said: “KPAP is not our enemy. The issue is that KPAP has gone way beyond its mandate and is violating local operators’ rights to compete by labelling non-affiliates illegitimate.”

Almost 150 companies are KPAP-registered (105 foreign-owned or foreign-dominated and 45 local), according to Samweli. “To be a KPAP member or fair travel partner, you have to surrender all your agent contacts and be evaluated according to their regulations. Who gave them this mandate or legal status?”

He believes the Tanzanian government has done its best to promote tourism and ensure all Tanzanians reap the rewards. However, he added, KPAP has taken over this mandate and is sidelining locals.

“We do have legal government institutions where a business owner can present claims in case of disputes. This includes the Kilimanjaro National Park headquarters with teams deployed at every gate to weigh luggage, check gear etc. Every Kili crew is registered so there's no chance of not paying them.”

More government support needed

Sharon Paul, marketer for Kwesa Tours, says: “There’s a strong feeling among local operators that the big international companies are taking over. Honestly, this feeling isn’t without reason. These larger companies have bigger budgets and more marketing power so it’s harder for smaller, local operators like us to compete. The imbalance is real but we’re doing everything we can to keep up and carve out our own space in the market.”

Paul and other local operators are hopeful, believing government is listening with fairness in mind. “It won’t happen overnight but, with more regulations that level the playing field, we believe the situation will improve. What’s clear is that there needs to be more collaboration among all players to ensure local businesses aren’t left behind.”

She said local tour operators need to be empowered to make Kilimanjaro a better destination and ensure it focuses on sustainability.

“We need more support in terms of financing and access to training so that we can compete at the same level as the bigger companies. We also need to encourage more responsible tourism – policies that ensure visitors understand the importance of respecting the environment and local culture.”

A different view

However, other tour operators do not agree. Samuel Karani, General Manager of Intrepid Travel East Africa, believes local operators are unwilling to adhere to fair or ethical practices.

“It’s something local operators don’t want to do. They exploit porters who are normally without any formal education or jobs by doing what is contrary to government guidelines or KPAP recommendations,” he said.

“Members of Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization are deemed ethical hence most tourists choose to travel with them although their trips are normally more expensive than those offered by local non-compliant operators. Intrepid views it differently: we want to do the right thing and be sustainable.”

KPAP’s view

KPAP’s Programme Manager Kelvin Salla does not believe KPAP is responsible for the decline in business experienced by local tour companies.

“We do not think we have anything to do with the flow of business but the market is changing.”

According to Salla, many local companies want to join KPAP as the world is moving towards responsible tourism.

“We encourage companies to study the changing needs of the current global tourism market and follow it.

“Very soon we will all have to either be certified or have a credible third party to confirm our practice or face the reality. We encourage all with questions to reach out to us so we can explain, in detail, the procedure so they can also be part of the great initiative.”