Community-Based Tourism and Sustainable Development of Rural Regions in Kenya; Perceptions of the Citizenry

Abstract

Community-Based Tourism (CBT) has been pushed as one of the strategies for poverty alleviation and it might enhance the sustainability of marginalized regions and communities. However, tourism has also been argued to carry seeds for its own destruction and therefore presents a great dilemma and developmental paradox. This research sought to establish perceptions of the citizenry towards community-based tourism as a sustainable development strategy for rural regions in Kenya.The study focused on the awareness levels of CBT, and perceived contributions of CBT to the socio-economic and physical sustainability of rural regions in Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted with a sample of 395 respondents. Data collected were collated and analyzed using SPSS 25 and Nvivo 12. Findings revealed that agriculture and other economic activities can be integrated with tourism and hospitality to deliver sustainable development in rural regions given the vast resources and attributes ideal for CBT. The majority of the respondents were noted to have a fair understanding of what CBT entails and thus calling for more capacity building, training and appropriate technical support to unlock the full potential of CBT as a sustainable development strategy. Overall results showed favorable perceptions towards CBT as a tool that can contribute to the sustainability of the socio-economic and physical environments in Kenya's rural region.

Natural Resource Conservation Based on Community Economic Empowerment: Perspectives on Watershed Management and Slum Settlements in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…Roles and responsibilities of the government include working to improve welfare through increased income. One way to do that is through empowerment that summarizes existing social values in society [70]. The effort was created to optimize the utilization of potential watersheds towards the development of community-based ecotourism in the interests of overcoming the problem of poverty and public awareness towards an environmentally conscious culture.…”

Experiences of community-based tourism in Romania: chances and challenges

“…Participation of the local community is necessary to develop the valuation of cultural and natural territorial resources correctly, but it can be interpreted in different ways. Johnson (2010) and Juma and Vidr (2019) included local residents and communities as the active participants in the process of tourism development, whereas Asker et al (2010) also recognized the presence of external agents operating in local communities such as NGOs, trusts or associations managed for the community and by the community. Cioce et al (2007) defined the CBT as sustainable development projects created by the community, whereas Garcia Lucchetti and Font (2013) and Amir (2015) gave an even more cultural approach, considering the CBT as a grassroots development in which tourists visit these communities and learn about the culture and the local environment.…”

“…Because there is a large number of tourist destinations that have witnessed the block and removal of local communities from the decision-making and management of the tourist activity, local agents are meant to be empowered for guaranteeing sustainable tourism in the territories they belong to and achieving a better quality of life (Blackstock, 2005;Amir, 2015;Juma and Vidr, 2019).…”

Constraints to Community Participation in Tourism in Kenya: The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

“…Participation means that community members are part of decision making on the use of their cultural spaces. However, local communities are constrained in various ways while participating in tourism related activities (Wondirad & Ewnetu, 2019;Juma & Khademi-Vidra, 2019, Devkant & Bagri, 2018, Mensah, 2017Chili and Ngxongo, 2017). Tosun (2000) identifi ed limitations to public participation in decision-making process and benefi t sharing of tourism development in developing countries.…”