The Mara Conservancy CEO Brian Heath spoke to James Kahongeh on tourism, arguing conservation could be the answer to the industry’s challenges.

Conservation, whether at the coast or in our formal or informal protected areas, is the backbone to the region’s tourism.

Other initiatives such as cross-border negotiations and the Greater Serengeti Association are working towards harmonising regional tourism policies.

In order for wildlife to thrive and conservation to be really meaningful the states need to relinquish some control and provide more incentives to people who live with wildlife and/or next to important habitats.

BIO

Current position: Director of Seiya Limited and CEO of the Mara Triangle in Maasai Mara

Previous position: Member of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) board

Others: Worked with cattle and wildlife in ranches and conservancies across Kenya for the past 40 years

Education: Degree in animal health and reproduction, Edinburgh University

In 2015, Heath was appointed as a member of the KWS board, where he served for three years.