EFFECT OF STAKEHOLDERS INITIATIVES ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN MT. ELGON REGION, KENYA

Abstract

One of the major global challenges faced by the tourism industry is the doubling of international tourist movement which has been predicted for the next 15 to 20 years. This global challenge is predicted to cause serious harm on resources in protected areas especially in developing countries like Kenya. Sustainability has become an important concept in relation to tourism planning and development. Stakeholder theory and Participatory and Empowerment model were used to underpin the study. Therefore main study objective was to determine the effect stakeholders’ initiatives on sustainable tourism development in Mt Elgon region. The specific objectives were; to determine the effect of government practices; environmental conservation practices; local community practices and local destination attraction appeal on sustainable tourism development respectively. The hypotheses were developed based on the stated objectives. Explanatory research design was adopted, employing cross sectional survey with the use of questionnaires for household’s heads and interview schedule guide for KWS staff. Target population was the 3192 households and 5 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) management staff in Mt Elgon National Park. Sample size was 210 households and 2 KWS staff and purposive and random sampling technique was employed respectively. The validity and reliability of the instruments was done through consultation of experts and cronbach alpha coefficient calculated at 0.70 respectively. Pilot study was done in Isukha Central, Shinyalu, in Kakamega County. Using SPSS, descriptive statistics for mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics for Pearson product moment Correlation (PPMC) coefficientand regression analysis were used for data analysis.Research findings revealed that government practices (β1= 0.155, p=0.033<0.05), environmental conservation practices(β2 = 0.186, p=0.007<0.05), local community practices(β3 = 0.172,p=0.007<0.05) and destination attraction appeal (β4 = 0.419,p=0.007<0.05)had a significant effect on sustainable tourism development as indicated by R squared = 0.672cumulatively and Std. Error of the Estimate= 0.328 for other factors. The study recommended that the government involves key stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of policies relating to tourism. Other than that, environmental conservation is instrumental in ensuring sustainable tourism development. Also, there is need for workshops to sensitize the community on conserving the reserve and the potential benefits to be realized from such initiatives. Similarly, efforts need to be made to ensure there is community involvement in tourism projects. Finally, it is important for tourist destinations to enhance cultural integrity and biodiversity of wildlife species as they are sources of appeal to tourists.