Browsing by Author "Kyeu, Joshua Valua"

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    Role of Local Community-Based Initiatives on Sustainable Tourism Development in Selected Group Ranches in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-04) Kyeu, Joshua Valua
    The substantial share of tourism revenues on the national kitty cannot be over-emphasized, and it is evidently becoming a star sector in Kenya. Its exponential growth is notable thus the posterity of the industry needs to be assured. Sustainability is becoming a major topic of concern in all industry constituents including the tourism industry. Tourism stakeholders have had to invent strategies to stay afloat bearing in mind community interests, environmental issues and protecting local community’s cultural integrity. In effort to address the effects that tourism brings to a destination, there is a need for tourism practitioners to adopt a holistic approach to mitigate such effects. By virtue of them being custodians of the touristic resources, local communities should have a stake in the management and running of touristic projects and initiatives. Objectives for this study were: to demonstrate the effect of stakeholder networks on STD in the AE; to appraise the effect of community empowerment with the intervening effect of community involvement and commitment on STD in AE; to illustrate the influence of leadership on STD in the AE and examining the intervening effect of community involvement on the relationship between CBIs and STD in the Amboseli Ecosystem. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of community-based initiatives on sustainable tourism development in the Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County. Exploratory Research Design was adopted for this study. Target population comprised three different groups, namely the villagers from the group ranches, lodge/camp managers in selected lodges and eco-lodges, KWS officials and NGOs within the AE. The sample size was 420 composed of 399 community members, 15 lodge managers, 3 Kenya Wildlife Service officials, and 3 Non-Governmental Organizations representatives. A variability degree of 0.05, a precision level of 5% and a confidence level of 95% were assumed. The Researcher used questionnaires and structured interviews to collect quantitative data. Questionnaires were organized on a 5-point Likert scale; and the hypothesis was tested using Pearson and Regression Analysis techniques. Study outcomes were stakeholders’ networks had a positive and significant influence on sustainable tourism development (r=0.246, p=0.000). CE had a positive and significant influence on sustainable tourism development for community members (r=0.182; p=0.000). Leadership had a positive and significant influence on sustainable tourism development for community members (r=0.099; p=0.000), while community participation (IV) had a positive and significant influence on sustainable tourism development (r=-0.135; p=0.000). Regression analysis showed that stakeholders’ networks was the highest followed by community empowerment, leadership and finally community participation (IV). Following are recommendations from the study: Fostering networks among stakeholders in the Amboseli Ecosystem, capacity building for leaders, ecosystem officials, group ranch and NGOs officials on matters of sustainable tourism, enactment of proper legislation and structures to ensure involvement of local communities in tourism initiatives, formation of societies through which local tourism entrepreneurs can have an avenue to collectively channel their opinions and grievances and sell their artefacts to tourists rejuvenation of the AE tourism portfolio to ensure promotion of new tourism initiatives that are inclined towards sustainable tourism.
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    Role of Local Stakeholders’ Networks on Sustainable Tourism Development in Selected Group Ranches in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County, Kenya
    (Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 2024-08) Kyeu, Joshua Valua
    Sustainable Tourism Development (STD) has emerged due to the exponential growth of tourism, which has significantly impacted natural and socio-cultural resources. The need for sustainability, as highlighted in literature like the Brundtland Report, is critical. This study focused on the role of stakeholders’ networks in promoting sustainable tourism in the Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County. A notable gap exists in information sharing and stakeholder networking, with existing frameworks primarily centered on conservation rather than STD. Stakeholders, including accommodation providers, local destination organizations, local communities, conservation organizations, the government, and travel organizers, play a crucial role in ensuring the longevity of sustainability initiatives. Networking offers solutions to industry challenges by fostering unified decision-making and addressing local resource and expertise deficiencies. The study employed an exploratory research design, targeting 420 participants from different groups in the Amboseli ecosystem, including community members, lodge managers, Kenya Wildlife Service officials, and NGO representatives. Data were collected using questionnaires and structured interviews, analyzed through Pearson and Regression Analysis. Results showed that stakeholder networks significantly and positively influence sustainable tourism development(r=0.246, p=0.000).Recommendations include fostering stakeholder networks, capacity building for leaders, enacting legislation to involve local communities, forming societies for local tourism entrepreneurs to network, and collaborating with local universities and research institutions on sustainable tourism issues.