Tourism and urban development in Diani are intimately linked. High-density development in Diani will force the area towards adapting a mass tourism model – few tourists will pay a price premium to stay on crowded beaches. This means that the fate of tourism in Diani is intimately linked to how development of the larger area is regulated. This is where the zoning plan has a crucial role to play.
However, specifically what type of tourism model the zoning plan should support requires greater definition. How upmarket should Diani go? What does this mean in terms of beach densities? What mix of hotel qualities should Diani offer? How does the mix affect the sector’s revenue growth targets? How will the existing tourism model combine with the future planned model?
The answers to these questions will guide the types of regulations that the spatial planners develop. However, answering these questions requires analyzing the local tourism sector, and developing a specific vision of where it should be in the future. This vision will provide the guidance and justification for the types of regulations that the planners advance.
The joint PPI team is therefore in the process of soliciting support for the development of a regional tourism strategy for Diani-Ukunda. This process is ongoing.