EFFECTS OF ARMED CONFLICTS ON TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK AND ITS SURROUNDINGS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Abstract

Armed conflicts have been on the rise globally, and this typically harms a country's destination image in terms of the demand side of tourism. Evidence demonstrates that threats and violence arising armed conflicts have a negative effect on demand for tourism. It is also documented that armed conflicts severely impair economies of countries suffering from them since human life is frequently lost and growth is threatened. This research was conducted in and around Virunga National Park (VNP) and assessed the effects of armed conflicts on tourism activities. Specific objectives of the research were to: determine the tourism activities undertaken in and around VNP, determine the types of armed conflicts experienced in and around the Park, establish the causes of armed conflicts in and around the Park, and to examine the measures put in place to mitigate the effects of armed conflicts on tourism activities in the Park and its surroundings. The study was guided by the descriptive survey research design. The target populations were local residents living adjacent to the Park and key informants drawn from organizations operating in and around the park. The study was guided by three theories; Economic Theory of conflict, Would Culture Theory and Gravity model. A sample size of 255 respondents was selected for the study. This constituted 200 local residents who participated in the questionnaire survey, 40 who participated in focus group discussions, and 15 key informants. Stratified, systematic, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Structured questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions were used to collect date Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test of goodness fit. Data analysis was facilitated by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 25. Qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo software after coding of themes under study. Results are presented using graphs and tables. The main tourism activity undertaken in VNP is gorilla trekking (92.7%). A linear regression results revealed that types of armed conflicts (β = 0.214, p = 0.000) had a significant positive effect on tourism activities. Furthermore, causes of armed conflicts (β = 0.139, p = 0.019), effects of armed conflicts (β = 0.097, p = 0.011), and mitigation measures (β = 0.074, p = 0.021) all showed significant positive associations with the dependent variable (tourism activities. More than half of respondents (54.2%) agreed that competition over natural resources was the main cause of the armed conflicts experienced, and this was being influenced by foreign and regional powers (χ2=155.92, df=6, P<0.0001). the conflicts had led to a decrease in tourist arrivals and tourism activities in and around the park (χ2=330.0, df=4, P˂0.0001). Mitigation of the conflicts was being addressed through negotiations and peace meetings with armed groups, and marketing of the destination. To reduce the conflicts further and remove the armed groups there should be political tolerance and effective implementation of laws ensuring equal utilization of the resources.