Browsing by Author "Mesa, Juliet Magoma"

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    Crisis Preparedness Strategies and Tourism Resilience: Does Organisation Size Matter?
    (African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2025-10) Mesa, Juliet Magoma; Kariuki, Albert Chege; Kiria, Sisinio Muthengi
    Global crises, including pandemics, political instability, and climate-related disasters, have exposed critical vulnerabilities in the tourism sector. The increasing frequency and intensity of these crises raise critical questions about the preparedness of tourism organisations. Crisis preparedness is paramount in crisis management as it requires a well-developed crisis management plan that is critical in helping tourism organisations to react effectively during crises. This study investigates the relationship between crisis preparedness strategies and organisational resilience among tourism enterprises in Nairobi City County, Kenya, with particular attention to the moderating effect of organisational size. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected from 284 licensed tourism organisations spanning micro, small, medium, and large enterprises. Quantitative analysis employing multiple linear regression revealed a strong positive association between crisis preparedness, measured through contingency planning and emergency capacity building, and organisational resilience (R² = 0.671, p < 0.001). Notably, while larger organisations benefited from structured systems and resource endowments, smaller enterprises demonstrated resilience through informal coping mechanisms and agility, although they often lacked formal preparedness frameworks. Importantly, the interaction effect of organisational size was non-significant, suggesting that the efficacy of preparedness strategies is universally beneficial across firm sizes. The findings have critical policy implications for Kenya’s broader tourism resilience agenda. There is a clear need for differentiated policy approaches that recognise the varying capacities of small and large enterprises. The findings demonstrate the need for a shift from reactive crisis responses to proactive resilience planning, which must be institutionalised within organisational structures and supported through external partnerships.
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    The Effectiveness of Exhibition Events in Promoting the Tourism Industry in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2019-02) Mesa, Juliet Magoma
    The study sought to determine the effectiveness of exhibition events in promoting the tourism industry in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Kenya’s leisure tourism has suffered suppressed performance due to insecurity challenges and negative travel advisories resulting in decline on tourism revenues and visitor numbers. Thus the needs to focus on harnessing the full potential of tourism especially by targeting exhibition events segment to aid in the county’s tourism promotion. The objectives of the study included to: determine the effectiveness of exhibition events in promoting the tourism industry in Nairobi City County; investigate the motivational factors that influence exhibition event participation and how they influence tourism industry promotion in Nairobi City County; examine the main attributes that influence exhibition events participation and their role in tourism industry promotion to Nairobi City County and to determine the influence of exhibition event participation experience on the participants’ overall satisfaction to Nairobi City County. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. The study population comprised of all exhibition events participants in Nairobi City County with the use of a sample size of 384. The study was carried out in Nairobi City County, specifically at KICC, the Sarit Expo Centre, and Radisson Blu Hotel. Data collection was by the use of questionnaires and interview schedules. The collected data were processed and analyzed using means, frequencies, averages, percentages, standard deviations, content analysis and chi-square. The Results from the study were presented in graphs, tables, and charts. Study findings indicated that exhibition events are held monthly, quarterly, biannually and annually and they attract participants from all over the world. Majority of the respondent agreed that exhibition events are an effective tool for promoting the tourism industry. The exhibition events can be used to create additional tourism demand, increase visitor numbers, and stimulate travel for lots of people. They can also create country’s tourism brand awareness and as means to advertise a country’s tourism offering. From the findings, the respondents indicated generating sales, gaining competitive advantage, identifying potential customers, education benefits networking, and gathering information for future purchases as the main motivations for attending exhibition events. Destination safety and security, market coverage of the exhibition, venue accessibility and location, destination image and attractions were cited as the main attributes influencing exhibition participation. The study concluded that exhibition events have the potential of being used in promoting the tourism industry in Nairobi City County. To be successful in attracting events tourism, there is a need for the destination to develop and maintain up to standard infrastructure and facilities and also ensure the safety and security of its customers. To remain competitive the study recommends that: tourism marketers should harmonize the communication mix and embrace wholesomely the use of new technologies especially the use of social media together with exhibition events marketing to promote the tourism industry; the government in collaboration with the private sector need to work on event venues available in the destination and ensure they conform to international standards to enable the industry to meet the expected demand.