MST-Department of Tourism Management
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Item Biodiversity Conservation Factors Influencing Wildlife Tourism at Oljogi Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Munyao, Nzomo Cosmas; Shem Wambugu Maingi; Albert Chege KariukiWildlife-based tourism generates significant cash that can be utilized to fund ecological efforts. The focus of this research was to look at the biodiversity conservation factors that influence wildlife tourism at Oljogi Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya. Specifically, it sought to profile visitors in relation to preference of wildlife tourism, determine visitors’ preference to wildlife tourism, and examine satisfaction levels in addition to whether animal conservation influenced wildlife tourism at Oljogi conservancy. This research would be of value to various stakeholders. Policy makers for example, the government, Kenya Wildlife Services and Kenya Forest Service, among others, may find it important as it forms the basis for policy formulation to improve wildlife tourism. This research could potentially be beneficial to management of the Oljogi Conservancy as it could drive the formulation of strategies that could improve wildlife tourism in that institution. The information would also serve as a crucial tool to tourism marketing organs like the Magical Kenya brand. Findings from the proposed study would be useful to private sector players like KATO and KATA to achieve their animal conservation strategies. NGOs in conservation, would also find the study equally important as well as other researchers and scholars. The study was based on a descriptive3research design. The target population was 13,728 tourists who visit Oljogi conservancy annually. The visitors as well as tour guides were key informants. The survey's 384 tourists were chosen using random selection, whereas the tour guides were chosen using convenience sampling. To get information from the visitors, a structured3questionnaire was used while an interview schedule guided collection of3data from the tour guides. Results revealed that observing wildlife3in its natural environment, behaving3naturally and viewing unique3wildlife were3the three most important3features in tourism3experience. For the most part, the visitors we engaged for research were witnessing their favored wild creature for the very first moment. Nonetheless, the majority of tourists interacted with, handled, or fed wild animals that were friendly in nature as well as uncommon and distinctive. The research further discovered that the black rhino remained the more preferred species, followed by leopard as well as the lion in this sequence. The conservation status of the Oljogi too was considered to be satisfactory. This research found that the tourist profiles for wildlife preferences, as well as habitat conditions, had a substantial impact upon wildlife tourism in Oljogi Conservancy. Furthermore, the significant number of individuals who stopped at Oljogi Conservancy were really pleased with their wildlife encounter. At Oljogi Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya, the investigation demonstrated that biodiversity conservation factors influence wildlife tourism. The research proposes appropriate strategies to guarantee endangered animals’ preservation, an expansion in the percentage of chosen wild creatures, and a high degree of visitor satisfaction. A comparable study should be conducted in national parks and reserves so that the results may be compared.Item Cluster-Based Critical Success Factors, Government Moderation and Destination Competitiveness of Conference Facilities in Nairobi City County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Kyalo, Makau Victor; Sisinio Kiria M; Mary Mutungi M.There has been progressive development of conference facilities that stimulate business to sectors such as transportation, entertainment, trade, accommodations, communications and also the Meeting, Incentives travels, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) sector. The huge benefits ripped in the MICE facilities prompts the need for further research so as to comprehend, the effect of critical success factors of conference facilities and government interaction towards their destination success. Lack of innovative marketing, human resource management and lack of proper financing strategies for the conference facilities makes Kenya lose visitors to other destinations. This has made destinations encounter challenges in developing, strengthening and sustaining their competitive positions in a competitive global market. This problems were identified in Nairobi City County since it is a region that hosts the largest number of delegates and conference facilities. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of critical success factors of conference facilities on destination competitiveness and government moderating role in the relationship in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was delimited to selected CSFs namely marketing, human resource management and financing on destination competitiveness of conference facilities in a cluster based approach. The study was underpinned by Resource Based View and Porter’s Diamond theories. This study utilized the pragmatist research philosophy using mixed methods approach. Descriptive and correlational designs were employed and the target population comprised of 53 conference facilities based in Nairobi City County out of which 47 facilities were selected to participate in the study. The marketing, human resource, finance and events manager, and the chief executive officers from the sampled 47 facilities were considered as study participants contributing to a total of 212. The study further sampled five conference facilities owners for the interviews. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in two stages that included cluster and purposive sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and interview guides were pre-tested and used in data collection where a response rate of 81.1-100% was obtained. Data was entered into statistical packages for social sciences version 22.0 and analysed using two stages. Descriptive statistics employed the use of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics comprised of Pearson product moment, correlation and regression analysis. Data was presented in tables, graphs, charts and textual format. Study findings revealed that cluster-based marketing (β=0.722, p˂.001), cluster-based human resource management (β=0.767, p˂.001) and cluster-based financing (β=0.543, p˂.001) of conference facilities had a positive significant relationship with destination competitiveness in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study further revealed that government (β = 0.213, p = 0.129) had no moderating effect on the relationship between critical success factors of conference facilities and destination competitiveness. The study concludes that cluster-based marketing, human resource management and financing had a statistically significant effect on destination competitiveness. The study also concluded that government had no statistically significant moderating effect between critical success factors and destination competitiveness of conference facilities. The study recommends that for government to attain a significant moderating effect towards conference facilities and destination competitiveness in Nairobi City County, it should direct adequate resources to support the sector. The study also recommends operationalization of a Visitors Convention Bureau to collaborate in management of conference facilities in the destination.Item The contribution of soapstone handicraft industry to community tourism in Tabaka, Kisii County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2015-12) Ogembo, Josephine BonareriMany countries in developing world have turned to tourism as a tool for sustainable development. Community participation is a crucial element to the success of tourism development. The level of success of tourism within a community is dependent upon the degree of resident‟s involvement and participation. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of soapstone handicraft tourism industry in Tabaka in Kisii County. The objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of soapstone handicraft industry to the growth of tourism activities in Tabaka sub-location in Kisii County; the study employed a descriptive research design targeting soapstone operators and their leaders in Tabaka Sub-location. The sample for this study comprised of five group leaders purposively selected and 85 soapstone operators selected using stratified random sampling method from five soapstone self-help groups in Tabaka sub-location. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed separately and synchronized. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic data analysis method then incorporated with quantitative data in presentations and discussions. The results of this study were presented using descriptive statistics such as frequency tables, figures and graphs while emerging themes were reported as reflected in the analysis. The response rate of 94% was achieved and deemed to be very good. The findings indicated that there was minimal tourism in Tabaka though majority of Tabaka residents were involved in making soapstone handicraft products largely consumed by tourists at different destinations in Kenya as souvenirs to carry home. Stakeholders played various roles where the government engaged in planning and policy development coordinated both private and public sectors but needed to do more especially in marketing and building of appropriate infrastructure. The industry faced challenges that arose from limited education of operators, limited funding, lack of infrastructure and exploitation by middlemen. However suggestions of strategies to overcome the challenges community residents faced were made as the need for the government involvement in creating awareness, to facilitate the acquiring of potential entrepreneurial skills, lack of modern tools and limited marketing knowledge of members, encouragement of stakeholder participation in providing the needed support, government commitment to the building of infrastructure and supper- structure and enhancing of marketing of Tabaka as a destination of choice. The study recommended a further research to explore the role of tour planners in promoting Tabaka soapstone handicraft as one of cultural tourism products in western Kenya tourism circuit.Item Determinants of Management Commitment to Application of Green Practices in Four and Five Star Hotels along Kenyan Coast(2015) Wachira, Irungu, RobertKenya's Vision 2030 economic pillar recognizes the important role of natural resource-based sectors. The promotion of these has a direct link with the protection and enhancement of the environment and its resources. Kenya hopes to raise the number of international visitors from 1.6 million to 3 million and increase bed capacity from 40,000 to 65,000 while emphasizing on high service quality. Whereas Kenya stands to gain enormously from tourism by the year 2030, policies and strategies must be put in place to mitigate unintended adverse outcomes such as environmental degradation. Managerial influence on environmental management is rarely investigated. In Kenya greening in hotels is a recent concept that managers are yearning to embrace. There is little research that has been undertaken to establish how management commitment influences green practices application in Kenyan hotel sector. This study therefore sought to establish the current state of green practices in four and five star hotels along the Kenyan Coast. The general objective of this study was to examine existing green practices in the hotel sector. Specific objectives sought to establish the relationship between management commitment and green practices in 4 and 5 star hotels, to evaluate the range of green practices implementation in 4 and 5 star hotels, to establish the effect of environmental awareness on green practices application, to find out possible challenges of applying green practices in 4 and 5 star hotels, to determine the impact of perceived benefits on green practices in 4 and 5 star hotels. The study used descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Stratified random sampling was used to identify the sample hotels. Key operatives were selected using systematic sampling while purposive sampling was used for selection of line managers and general managers. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklists. Data analysis included descriptive statistics to determine the frequencies, means, standard deviations and percentages for demographic variables and each of the survey items. Product moment (Pearson) correlation and chi square were used to test the hypothesis. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Some of the commonly observed practices included the use of solar power, use of low flow flash toilets and recycling. While 88.9% of the managers were not satisfied with their current green practices 81.5% were focusing on improving the green concepts adopted. Only 44.4% of the managers highlighted control of harmful emissions and noise pollution in their environmental policy. This reveals a knowledge gap where environmental policies need to be reviewed regularly so as to highlight sensitive areas of greening. The chi square tests revealed that there is a significant relationship between management commitment and green practices application (chi-square value = 85.387, and P-value=O.OOO). The Pearson correlation test indicated that there is a strong positive relationship between management commitment to green practices application and perceived benefits (correlation coefficient =0.528 and P-value =0.000). The study therefore recommended that hotel managers should embrace regular environmental audits where environmental performance is constantly monitored and recorded. Environmental education and training were also considered valuable in developing awareness, knowledge, positive attitude, skills and participation in green practices.Item Effects of Socio- Economic Trends on the Management of Employee Motivation in 3-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi(2013-10-17) Wasike, Carolyne K.; Tromp, Delno L.A.; Wandolo, MonicaAlthough studies show that the reasons that drive people to work may depend on the individual, management can stilI determine whether employees get motivated or not. . This is possible even with the variation of human needs from person to person or even to the same individual at different stages of their careers and lives. However, the ever changing values in priorities for employees in response to the rise of the information age, technology advancement and lifestyle have made it more difficult for management in employee motivation. This study examined prevailing socio-economic trends among employees that may have a bearing on employee motivation, determined the effects of the identified trends on the management of employee motivation and managerial response to the challenges presented. The study was a cross sectional survey that involved 324 respondents drawn from twelve 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi. Structured and Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used to analyze quantitative data while inferential statistics were used to infer the findings into the population. Pearson Product Moment correlations were computed to determine the relationship between employee motivation, socio-economic trends and employee motivation management strategies. A t-test was performed to establish socio-economic trends that had a bearing in management of employee motivation in 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi. A correlation test was further performed to establish the effect of the identified socio-economic trends in management of employee motivation. The study established that socio-economic trends that had a bearing in management of employee motivation entailed increase in the cost of living, need for skill upgrading in the hotel sector and the need for higher salaries. Other than socioeconomic factors, managers felt that employees were difficult to please, blamed challenges in management of employee motivation to quitting of employees and competition from new hotels which offer better terms. Findings on the effect of the identified trends in management of employee motivation showed that when the cost of living went up, strategies that mitigated the effects of cost of living in management of employee motivation were gifts, promotions and bonus' payments/service charge. Employees, on the other hand, were ready to upgrade their skills in the hotel sector if the terms of service were improved, were taken for paid vacations, given bonus payments or promoted. The management responded to challenges in management of employee motivation by use of disciplinary action, discussion with employees on the way forward and forming of panels to make recommendations. The study thus recommends that employee motivation strategies be reviewed to reflect current employee motivational needs and the prevailing socio-economic trends in order to promote employee motivation hence improve service quality in Kenya's hospitality industry. This would be possible if employees are consulted in order to correctly establish their motivational needs.Item Efficacy of Business Strategies in Influencing Organizational Performance among Tour Operators in Nairobi City County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2023-10) Thukia, Wanijiku Joseph; Esther Kagure Munyiri; Shem Wambugu MaingiAbstractItem Efficacy of Community Based Tourism Initiatives in Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case of Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kwale County Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2017-09) Makau, Musila PaulCommunity based tourism is among the several alternatives to mass tourism that are considered to be more sustainable. The genesis and growth of Community Based Tourism Initiatives (CBTI) in the 1990s was based on their prospective ability to augment community support for wildlife conservation, while ensuring that local community participate and benefit from tourism development. However, a number of CBTIs in Kenya have failed to produce benefits substantial enough to meet community expectations. Hence, the need to interrogate if CBTIs have been effective in realising sustainable tourism. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of CBTIs in sustainable tourism development with particular interest in Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kwale County. The specific objectives were; to establish the level of community participation in tourism, investigate constraints to community participation and to determine community‟s attitude towards economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism development. The study adopted a descriptive survey design that allowed qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. All (282) landowners of MES were targeted, while the ex-officio (5) and staff (19) were used as key informants. Stratified random sampling was used to establish the study sample (157) of the landowners, while all key informants were used in the study. The findings showed that community participation was from a low to a moderate extent (0.160=V=0.571; 0.000=P=0.038). Their major roles were to give consent on land utilization, share benefits, and provide views and opinions on nature of tourism development to be undertaken. However, they had no power to ensure that whatever had been agreed upon was implemented. Lack of coordination among stakeholders, financial resources, skills/knowledge, and low level of awareness on tourism issues were major constraints to participation. These constraints hindered community participation from a moderate to high extent (0.365=V=0.822; 0.017=P=0.042). Social cultural impacts were positively perceived, while economic and environmental impacts were negatively perceived. Key concerns were minimum economic benefits from tourism, crop raids by wildlife and environmental degradation. A positive significant relationship between socio-economic benefits and community participation was noted (R=0.575, P=0.000). Respondents had a negative attitude towards tourism due to its inability to provide the anticipated economic impacts; however, they had a positive attitude towards conservation and tourism development as a land use. A positive significant relationship was observed between landowners‟ attitudes and their involvement in tourism development(R=0.887, P=0.010). The study concludes that MES is maintaining an unsustainable status quo, hence tending towards “minimalistic sustainable tourism model”. The current model of CBTI is therefore not sustainable and needs to be reviewed. It is recommended that an alternative tourism development strategy be adopted which integrates the principles of sustainable tourism development particularly; participation, and more favourable socioeconomic and environmental outcomes, with emphasis on roles of stakeholders, funding, conservation and tourism product development in light of the emerging issues.Item The efficacy of information and communication technology in creating competitive advantage in 3-5 star-rated hotels in Nairobi, Kenya(2017-09) Odawa, Esther LambertDespite the many feasible benefits of ICT in the organizational competitiveness, the extent to which ICT has been applied to carve a niche in the hospitality industry still remains unclear. Various studies have demonstrated that companies which leverage Information and Communication Technology and product differentiation create an environment where ICT has a great impact in the business arena. While there exists some studies on ICT, none has focused on the efficacy of ICT in creating competitive advantage within the selected hotels in Nairobi, and how to innovativetly and strategically use it. Various scholars have found that the use of ICT per se does not create competitive advantage. The main purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in creating competitive advantage in selected hotels in Nairobi County.The research was carried out in 3-5 star hotels which forms about 80% of the total income of the star-rated hotels in the country. The study used a total sample size of twenty four (24), 3 to 5 star-rated hotels in the country and was designed to include the cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. A sample size of two hundred and seventy four (n=274) respondents were targeted from the 24 hotels. Two hundred and thirty four (234) questionnaires inclusive of twelve (12) interview guides were filled and returned, which formed about 85% response rate. The structured questionnaires were both open and closed ended. Both proportionate and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample the respondents for the study. The study used the split-half technique to determine the reliability of the research instruments. The collected data was then analyzed using the linear and multiple regression, the Pearson Correlation and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the related test of significance was applied appropriately. The study found out that the use of ICT in Service Delivery and Competitive Advantage were positively and significantly correlated. The results also revealed that the use of ICT in Employee Empowerment and Competitive Advantage were positively and significantly correlated. Further, results revealed that the use of ICT in Marketing and Competitive Advantage were also positively and significantly correlated. Based on these findings, the study concluded that the use of ICT in service delivery, employee empowerment and marketing had a positive and significant influence on competitive advantage. Finally, the study recommended that all the hotels should innovatively and strategically integrate their websites with Property Management Systems (PMS) to promote efficiency within the organizations. This would lead to quality service delivery which easily translates to customer loyalty and retention.Item Food and Beverage Training and Entrepreneurial Engagement among Diploma Graduates from Tertiary Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Binyanya, Benard; Monica Wandolo; Rahab MugambiEntrepreneurship is recognized as a beacon of business start-ups. It drives individuals to realize their synergy, visualize and strategize / focus towards entrepreneurial path. It is a vibrant process aimed at creating economic returns through innovations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of skills acquired by Food and Beverage graduates from tertiary institutions in entrepreneurial engagements. In particular, the study investigated the direct effect of entrepreneurial training skills, internship exposure/job market and educational institution as a social network on decisions towards entrepreneurial engagements. Trainer’s demographics and pedagogy was used as the intervening variable. Theory of entrepreneurial competences, Human capital theory, Theory of Reasoned Action and Sociological theory were used to inform the study. An explanatory research design was adopted. Apart from graduates, lecturers from tertiary institutions that offer food and beverage courses also formed part of the respondents. Specifically, 14 institutions from Nairobi County were targeted for the study, which included two public universities, four private universities, three government technical institutions and five private training colleges. Fishers formula was used to derive the sample size from the population. Using purposive sampling technique and self-administered questionnaires, qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Descriptive and inferential procedures were used in data analysis. For quantitative data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used, while for qualitative data, thematic analysis was used. Before testing the study hypotheses, diagnostic checks were done to ensure the suitability of the collected data in regression modeling. From the inferential analysis, the findings indicated that the independent variables training skills and internship exposure/job market do not have significant effects on entrepreneurial engagements with corresponding p-values 0.604 and 0.533, while educational institution had a significant effect with a p-value of 0.44. Using a step-by-step analytical approach, trainer’s demographics and pedagogy was found to act as an independent variable, not as an intervening variable. The study concluded that training is rich in content and well linked, however with limited need to plug gap of practical skills to reduce exam gurus oriented graduates. The study concluded that lecturers play a critical role in motivating/mentoring graduates to get involved in entrepreneurial activities through teaching methodology and nurturing of talents. The study recommends that the educational institutions should develop mentorship programs to nurture their graduates’ business engagement. Further, the training institution should embrace studies that follows graduate to establish the utilization of skills acquired during training. In addition, as a way of attracting more students to the hospitality industry, improvements such as curriculum adjustments, attachment/internship programs and social networking, should be considered by main stakeholders in the hospitality industry.Item Homestay Tourist Accommodation as A Tool For Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Rural Communities in Kenya: A Case of Taita Taveta County(Kenyatta University, 2015) Kimaiga, R. K.The economic potential of tourism in less developed countries has been identified as an important contributing factor to global tourism growth. In most developing countries, tourism has been portrayed as a contributor to small scale enterprises thus directly uplifting the standards of living as well as a catalyst for community development. As an extended form of local people involvement in tourism, the homestays concept aims to facilitate households earn an income from tourism directly. Although homestays are purported to provide economic benefits to the local people, it is not clear whether the local people fully benefit from the venture. For instance majority of the people in Taita Taveta County still live below the poverty line despite the fact that the homestays concept has been in existence in the county since 1989 and the highest number of homestay accommodation is found in this region. This research therefore sought to put the homestays concept into perspective; identify motivational factors behind homestay operators‟ participation in the program; assess the socio-economic benefits of homestay accommodation to host families; examine factors which influence tourist choice of homestay; establish the most effective ways of positioning homestays and identify homestay operators‟ knowledge and skills in their participation in the program. This research adopted cross-sectional research design and made use of both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected by use of researcher administered semi-structured questionnaires and an interview guide. Secondary data was gathered from books, newspaper articles, academic journals, internet and other relevant documents related to homestay. Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling technique was used to select the sample for tourists visiting homestays where a total of 95 tourists formed the sample size. Census technique was used for the homestay operators hence all the 54 homestay operators in the county formed the sample size. The data collected were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Descriptive analysis, Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and correlation analysis were used to analyse data. The study revealed that, the major motivation for homestay operators‟ participation in the program was income (M=1.10, SD=0.300) and homestay accommodation is a significant means of boosting the socio-economic well-being of rural people (0.407=V=0.865, 0.000=P=0.004) but to benefit fully a few pertinent issues need to be addressed. For instance the local people need to be trained on the homestay program to equip them with the necessary basic knowledge and skills to run the program since this study revealed that the level of education had a statistically significant effect on their knowledge and skills to run the program and the income derived from the program F (21,118), P˂.0005; Wilk‟s λ= 0.261, partial η2 0.361). Ideally, a training curriculum tailored to meet the needs of the homestay operators should be developed. In addition, this study recommends that the homestay operators and the destination marketer (KTB), need an insight on the factors which influence tourist choice of homestays since this study revealed that there is a significant relationship between factors which influence tourist choice of homestays and how the homestays are positioned (0.368=r=0.870, P=0.000).Item Housekeeping Service Quality and Guest Satisfaction in Selected Star Rated Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2019) Mchigani, Elwin; Rahab M. Mugambi; Lenah B. KebasoThe major contributors to guest patronage in a hospitality organization are the standards of cleanliness and quality of services offered. In Kenya, despite the knowledge, set rules and guidelines of housekeeping practice, hotels have been faced with complaints from guests ranging from room cleanliness and maintenance to the quality of services offered. The purpose of the study was to examine housekeeping service quality and guest satisfaction in selected star-rated hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives namely; to examine housekeeping services, determine housekeeping service qualities, establish guestroom physical amenities and examine challenges encountered by housekeeping personnel in achieving guest satisfaction. A cross sectional survey design was adopted in achieving the research objectives, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches being used for data collection. Nairobi City County offered a cosmopolitan base for the study as it hosts most of the star rated hotels therefore, providing a good source of respondents for the study. The population for this study comprised of 244 guestroom attendants, 21 executive housekeepers and 1033 hotel guests from star-rated hotels in Nairobi City County. Purposive sampling and stratified random sampling were used to select 21executive housekeepers, 149 guestroom attendants and 280 hotel guests. The study used questionnaires, personal interviews and observations to collect data. Data collected were analyzed using both descripti ve and inferential statistics. Factor analysis was used to identify housekeeping services most' preferred by guests and guestroom attendants. It was found out that physical status of facilities in the guestrooms is well maintained and the housekeeping staff seems to be friendly and courteous. Regression analysis was used to measure the relationship between housekeeping service quality and guest satisfaction and the findings showed R=0.323 which indicated there existed a weak but positive relationship of housekeeping services and guest satisfaction. Additionally, physical facilities in the guestroom which included aspects such as the different room categories, keycard door 'SQ'stem, room doorbell, quality of the bed and mattress, the room and bathroom linen, furniture and fixtures, mini bar, air conditioning unit and guest amenities affected guest satisfaction. There existed a negative relationship between physical facilities found in the guest rooms and guest satisfaction with a coefficient of (-0.123) tested at 0.05 significant level. On challenges encountered by housekeeping personnel in achieving guest satisfaction, lack of enough housekeeping cleaning equipment, insufficient room linen, lack of enough staff and poor support from management highly contributed to poor service delivery. Based on these findings, the study concluded that star-rated hotels lack the technical know-how of identifyfng guests' needs. Housekeeping quality services in selected star-rated hotels has a direct relationship with management decision making in that a unit change in decision making process directly influences the quality of service delivery. There is need for housekeeping service providers in the industry to be encouraged to formulate guidelines that will encompass all housekeeping practitioners to act as an internal regulatory body to ensure the industry offers quality services to its guests. [t is recommended that further' research be conducted on the new trends in hotel housekeeping practice, and challenges experienced by the department in implementation of the same.Item Impediments to Education Access Andretention in Public Secondary Schools in Tana River County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Gitau, Treza Waithera; Shem Wambugu Maingi; Edgar NdubiDestination competitiveness and factors that influence it has attracted interest among researchers recently. Among them is place identity which to date there exists no place brand identity that is universally accepted. The purpose of this study was to determine the Influence of place identity on the competitiveness of Machakos County as a tourist destination. Specific objectives of this study were to determine the Influence of visitor profile, to investigate the influence of visitor place identity perceptions, to examine the effect of visitor self-efficacy on destination competitiveness and to determine the moderating effect of tourism infrastructure on the relationship between place identity and destination competitiveness of Machakos County. This study was based on two theories: The Destination Competitiveness theory and the Breakwell‟s Identity Process Model. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used in this study using questionnaires as the research instruments.317 visitors who patronized products and services of 202 registered tourism enterprises in Machakos Sub-County were randomly sampled for this study. Reliability of the research instruments was estimated using Cronbach‟s Alpha Coefficient. Descriptive statistics; correlation and regression (simple and multiple) were employed and for inferential statistics; Chi Square, T-Test and ANOVA were used. Correlation results indicated that Place Identity perceptions (r=0.577, p=0.000<0.05), Visitor self-efficacy (r=0.656, p=0.00<0.05) and Tourism Infrastructure (r=0.684, p=0.000<0.05) were positively and significantly associated to destination competitiveness. T-test results showed that visitor profile was significant with destination competitiveness except gender (p=0.624) and marital status of visitors. (p=0.806). The regression of coefficients results indicated that place identity and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.589, p=0.000). Visitor self -efficacy and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0. 0.672, p=0.000). When moderated by tourism infrastructure, age (β=0.021, p=0.000), education level (β=0.0518, p=0.000), reason for travel (β=0.077, p=0.000), means of transport (β=0.113, p=0.000) were positively and significantly related with destination competitiveness. Further, the multiple regression indicated that place identity perception (β=0.032, p=0.015) and visitor self-efficacy (β=0.057, p=0.000) was negatively and significantly related with destination competitiveness. Reason for visit and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.309, p=0.026). Place Identity perception and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β =0.119, p=0.046). Self-Efficacy and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.155, p=0.030).Tourism infrastructure and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0. 524, p=0.000). All the null hypotheses were rejected and the alternative hypotheses adopted. The study recommended that DMOs should ensure that their product is customized to match varying visitor profiles especially in regards to age of visitors, level of education and the reason of their visit. They should integrate their marketing efforts with visitor opinions and perceptions about a place. Moreover, they should work towards increasing visitor efficacy before visit, while at destination and after leaving as this would significantly increase their sense of belonging and in turn increase chances of their return. Further research can be carried out on other stakeholder groups like host community, the Government or even NGOs. It can also be conducted on other branded counties in Kenya. In conclusion, this study confirmed that visitors have the ability to contribute towards the identity of a place in terms of their age and reasons for visit, their perceptions about place and their self-efficacy in relation to the destination they visit or aspire to visit.Item Influence of Cultural Practices on Tourism Development in Baringo County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2019-01) Chebotibin, Diana J.Baringo is a cultures-diverse county that hosts communities including the Pokot, Ilchamus, Tugen and other Kenyan communities. This makes the county a true definition of social and cultural diversity. Although Baringo is known for cultural diversity, existence of item based tourism rather than market based poses a danger to cultural tourism development. Whilst stiff competition is encountered on conventional tourists‟ destination, there is need of increasing supply of cultural attractions in Baringo. The study investigated the influence of cultural practices on tourism development in Baringo County, Kenya. Exploratory research design utilizing mixed method that is qualitative and quantitative methods was used. The target unit of analysis was the 7 Destination managers, 3 county government officials, 399 Community members and 395 tourists. The sample size used was 804 respondents. Data was collected by administration of questionnaires and interview guide. Data was analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics which are the Pearson correlation and regression. The findings both for tourists and community members indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between cultural practices (cultural festivals, custom & artefacts and traditional rituals) and tourism development in Baringo County. Cultural festival and tourism development were positively and significant related (r=0.228, p=0.00). Result also indicated that customs & artefacts and tourism development were positively and significant related (r=0.223, p=0.00). Similarly, it was established that traditional rituals and tourism development were positively and significantly related (r=0.129, p=0.001). However, cattle rustling had a negative effect on tourism development in Baringo County (r= -0.024), p=0.497). The regression analysis indicated that cultural festivals had the largest influence on tourism development, followed by custom & artefacts, traditional rituals and finally cattle rustling with negative influence on tourism development. The other factors that attracted tourists to Baringo County included Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Lake Baringo, rugged terrains and beautiful valleys. Tourism development is influenced by cultural practices which if well developed, it could lead to fast tourism development in Baringo County. From the findings and conclusion made, the following recommendations were made; new tourism products should be developed from culture, culture has a huge untapped potential for tourism. The traditional rituals whose permission is granted should be developed for tourism attraction e.g. rain making process and traditional cleansing ceremonies. Cultural festivals should be prioritized in the tourism sector, so that it can boost tourism as well as conserving the culture. Customs and artefacts should be profiled and documented for easy access by the tourists. Cattle rustling should be fully eradicated to avoid tourism migration.Item Influence of E-Tourism on Travel Business Profitability in Nairobi City County, Kenya Evelyne Mueni Ndambuki(Kenyatta University, 2023-10) Ndambuki, Evelyne Mueni; Albert Chege Kariuki; Jane BitokAbstractItem Influence of Management of Contract Catering Services on Customer Satisfaction in Selected Universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2020-02) Mokua, Gilbert BitangeThe rapid growth and increase in contract catering services in Universities in Kenya, seeks to lower costs and respond to high level of competition. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of management of contract catering services on customer satisfaction in selected universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was to specifically seek to: assess the effect of policy guidelines, identify challenges, assess the effect of service quality, establish the management culture and assess the relationship between management of contract catering services and customer satisfaction in selected universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study adopted descriptive cross sectional survey design. The target population was selected universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Purposive and stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting the target population of universities. The target population was segmented into two groups based on the category of the university either public and or private university. The sampling technique for management staff respondents was purposive sampling while the students ‗respondents was calculated by using of Cooper and Schindler formula. The study adopted interview guide and questionnaire data collection instrument. Data was collected from 276 respondents. Multi-level random sampling of 276(students, contract catering manager, university director of catering services and university procurement manager) returned 257 (75.72%) valid responses. Expert review was used to pretest the questionnaire before the actual study. The study adopted Cronbach‘s alpha formula to test reliability of the instrument and coefficient ranging from 0.65 to 1 were considered adequate for data analysis. The study collected primary data which was analyzed through descriptive statistics and inferential analysis about the management and students‘ views and perceptions. Data were then reported in tables, bar graph, and percentages and verbatim quotes. For inferential statistics, Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the independent variables (demographic factors, policy guidelines, management culture, challenges and service quality) and dependent variable (customer satisfaction) of the study to test the hypotheses. Multiple regression results revealed that at 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, the tested variables had p-value confidence levels of 0.022 for policies, 0.012 for management, 0.009 for challenges and 0.000 for service, had positive statistically significant with customer satisfaction. The study concluded that management of contract catering services influence customer satisfaction where positive independent variables like policy guidelines, service quality and management culture enhance customer satisfaction as compared to negative one that is challenges has a high probability in customer dissatisfaction. The study recommends that university management requires management culture in contract catering services that mitigate the challenges in management of contract catering services in order to attending to customer needs to achieve effectiveness in service quality and customer satisfaction. Further, similar studies to be done in other universities and colleges in Kenya with the aim of evaluating influence of management in contract catering services on customer satisfaction. This should aim at establishing if similar challenges in management of contract catering services are a replica in other institutions of the world.Item Influence of Neo-Ethnic Plagiarism of Maasai Culture on Sustainarle Tourism Development in Mombasa County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2023-06) Otieno, Edmond; Esther Munyiri; Alice NziokaAbstractItem Influence of Place Identity on Destination Competitiveness of Machakos Sub-County; Machakos County, Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Barak, Winfred Musengy’a; Shem Wambugu Maingi; Edgar NdubiDestination competitiveness and factors that influence it has attracted interest among researchers recently. Among them is place identity which to date there exists no place brand identity that is universally accepted. The purpose of this study was to determine the Influence of place identity on the competitiveness of Machakos County as a tourist destination. Specific objectives of this study were to determine the Influence of visitor profile, to investigate the influence of visitor place identity perceptions, to examine the effect of visitor self-efficacy on destination competitiveness and to determine the moderating effect of tourism infrastructure on the relationship between place identity and destination competitiveness of Machakos County. This study was based on two theories: The Destination Competitiveness theory and the Breakwell‟s Identity Process Model. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used in this study using questionnaires as the research instruments.317 visitors who patronized products and services of 202 registered tourism enterprises in Machakos Sub-County were randomly sampled for this study. Reliability of the research instruments was estimated using Cronbach‟s Alpha Coefficient. Descriptive statistics; correlation and regression (simple and multiple) were employed and for inferential statistics; Chi Square, T-Test and ANOVA were used. Correlation results indicated that Place Identity perceptions (r=0.577, p=0.000<0.05), Visitor self-efficacy (r=0.656, p=0.00<0.05) and Tourism Infrastructure (r=0.684, p=0.000<0.05) were positively and significantly associated to destination competitiveness. T-test results showed that visitor profile was significant with destination competitiveness except gender (p=0.624) and marital status of visitors. (p=0.806). The regression of coefficients results indicated that place identity and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.589, p=0.000). Visitor self -efficacy and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0. 0.672, p=0.000). When moderated by tourism infrastructure, age (β=0.021, p=0.000), education level (β=0.0518, p=0.000), reason for travel (β=0.077, p=0.000), means of transport (β=0.113, p=0.000) were positively and significantly related with destination competitiveness. Further, the multiple regression indicated that place identity perception (β=0.032, p=0.015) and visitor self-efficacy (β=0.057, p=0.000) was negatively and significantly related with destination competitiveness. Reason for visit and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.309, p=0.026). Place Identity perception and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β =0.119, p=0.046). Self-Efficacy and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0.155, p=0.030).Tourism infrastructure and destination competitiveness was positively and significant related (β=0. 524, p=0.000). All the null hypotheses were rejected and the alternative hypotheses adopted. The study recommended that DMOs should ensure that their product is customized to match varying visitor profiles especially in regards to age of visitors, level of education and the reason of their visit. They should integrate their marketing efforts with visitor opinions and perceptions about a place. Moreover, they should work towards increasing visitor efficacy before visit, while at destination and after leaving as this would significantly increase their sense of belonging and in turn increase chances of their return. Further research can be carried out on other stakeholder groups like host community, the Government or even NGOs. It can also be conducted on other branded counties in Kenya. In conclusion, this study confirmed that visitors have the ability to contribute towards the identity of a place in terms of their age and reasons for visit, their perceptions about place and their self-efficacy in relation to the destination they visit or aspire to visit.Item Influence of Strategic Orientation on Performance of Public Owned Hotels in Kenya(Kenyatta University, 2021) Lentu, Lesaibile Moses; Rosemarie Khayiya; Alice OndigiFirm’s strategic orientation enables a firm to develop optimal performance and sustain competitiveness in the market. Publicly owned hotels have however been faced with many challenges which affects their performance. These challenges included change in technology, competitive environment, social-cultural and economic challenges. The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of strategic orientation on performance of public owned hotels in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to examine the influence of resource orientation on performance of public owned hotels in Kenya; establish the influence of enterprenurial orientation on the performance of public owned hotels; determine the influence of market orientation on performance of public onwed hotels and establish the influence of technological orientation on the performance of public owned hotels in Kenya. The study was guided by three theories namely; Resource-based view, Goal-setting theory and Dynamic Capabilities View. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The targeted institutions for the study were all the 10 existing public owned hotels located in various parts of the country. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the sample. The study used a census of 9 public owned hotels and used purposive sampling to select one General Manager and five heads of departments from each hotel. Therefore, a total of 54 (9*6) respondents formed the sample size. The study however received back only 44 questionnaires; a response rate of 81.48%. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire for middle level managers and an interview schedule for the general managers as the main research instruments. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like mean, frequencies and standard deviations and the findings presented in tables and figures. Linear Regression analysis was carried out to determine the influence of resource, enterpreneurial, market and technological orientation on performance while standard multiple regression was used to determine the overall influence of strategic orientation on performance of public owned hotels. The study established that resource orientation (β=0.565, p=0.000); entrepreneurial orientation (β=0.285, p=0.000); market orientation (β=0.346, p=0.000) and technological orientation (β=0.271, p=0.000) positively and significantly influenced performance of public owned hotels in Kenya. The multiple regression findings further showed that all measures of strategic orientation combined (resource orientation (β=0.283), technology orientation (β=0.381), market orientation (β=0.093), entrepreneurial orientation (β=1.002) influenced performance of public owned hotels. Although all the variables showed a statistically significant influence on performance, technological orientation proved to be the best predictor variable of performance, given that it produced the highest value (β=1.002;P=0.000). This study recommends that the public owned hotels should widely adopt information technology (IT) to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and most importantly to improve service quality and customer experience.Item Instructors’ perceived Facilitation Efficacy in Outdoor Adventure Programs in Kenya a Case of Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership(Kenyatta University, 2018-11) Kimtai, Rotich JonathanPositive outcomes of outdoor adventure programs depend on the efficacy of the facilitation process. This study sought to assess outdoor instructors’ perceived facilitation efficacy in outdoor adventure programs in Kenya –case of Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL). The objectives of the study were to establish facilitation efficacy of outdoor adventure instructors, to determine whether there were significance differences in the facilitation efficacy of the outdoor adventure facilitators based on their gender, experience, and education level. The study also set out to find out the perceived effectiveness of instructor-participant ratio as used in facilitation of the outdoor programs in KESAL. A case study research design was adopted for the study. Data for the study was collected using instructors effectiveness questionnaire (IEQ) questionnaire coupled with structured interviews with five key informants. Data generated was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.A total of 135 KESAL outdoor instructors and KDF cadets successfully completed the questionnaires out of 170 issued. The respondents comprised of 50 outdoor instructors and 85 Kenya Defence Force (KDF) cadets who attended an outdoor education course at Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership. Assessment on the influence of gender on facilitation efficacy indicated male instructors to have high mean compared to female instructors with an independent t-test establishing a significant difference between male and female KESAL outdoor instructors facilitation efficacy p<0.01. There was no significant difference; ANOVA, p>0.01, in terms of education levels and outdoor instructors’ perceived efficacy. In terms of experience and facilitation efficacy of KESAL outdoor instructors, there was no significant difference p>0.01. Instructor- participants’ ratio of 1: (4-6) was preferred by many respondents (KESAL outdoor instructors and KDF cadets) 61%. Nevertheless, a good number of respondents 18% supported the ratio 1: 12 which was the current ratio used at KESAL, independent t-test did not establish statistical difference in instructor-participants ratio preference according to gender p>0.01.The study concluded that KESAL outdoor instructors facilitation efficacy was beyond average. However, there were found to have difficulties in managing stress of participants. The study recommended KESAL to empower females with the aim of appealing to them to enroll in outdoor oriented courses. KESAL to further ensure outdoor instructors maintain outdoor instructors’ motivation through policies that promotes instructors to work long in the institutions and others methods such as positive feedback, appreciation, constructive criticism, tours and occasionally appreciation tokens. It was also recommended that further studies need to explore the technical skills of KESAL outdoor instructors in order to have a comparable literature to affirm conclusions on the efficacy of the instructors.Item International tourists perceptions of the Kenyan ethnic cuisine: a case of five star hotels in Nairobi(2011-08-02) Kimento, C. Janet; Waudo, Judith N.; Ondigi, Alice N.In the past two decades, tourism has emerged as one of the world's major industries, exceeding many manufacturing industries and other services in terms of sales, employment and foreign earnings. Many hospitality establishments in Kenya have in the recent years embraced and promoted the Kenyan Gala nights featuring particularly music and cuisine from different Kenyan ethnic communities. However, little has been done in Kenya to assess the perceptions of Kenyan ethnic cuisine by international tourists. This is instrumental in promoting the inclusion of components of gala nights particularly the ethnic cuisine in the normal restaurant menu. The study therefore, assessed the perceptions of the local cuisine by international tourists with the aim of promoting the Kenyan ethnic cuisine as a strategy towards destination branding, promoting culture tourism and increasing multiplier effects of tourism earnings. The study adopted a cross section descriptive survey design and was carried out in Nairobi city The study targeted 229 foreign tourists (adults) randomly selected and seven managers from the seven five star hotels. The study targeted 33 respondents from each hotel. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Demographic characteristics and perceptions of the Kenyan ethnic cuisine was done by running Chi-square tests on SPSS and also, carried out was the multiple regression analysis in which the dependant variable was perceptions where as the independent variables were gender, age, marital status and level of education. The collected data were edited, coded, cleaned and P-values or level of significance to test reliability were also carried out. The study found out that international tourists perceived positively the Kenyan cuisine. This is because out of the total number 131 that had tasted the Kenyan cuisine, 64 percent were willing to choose the Kenyan cuisine in the menu like the other meals because of curiosity, as part of fun in traveling and that their experience after tasting the Kenyan cuisine was good. Hotels should establish priorities among the strategic moves that are likely to improve a customer's repeat purchase. They should come up with ways of improving the quality of the Kenyan ethnic cuisine while maintaining the real traditional touch and taste in it. Marketers and promoters of Tourism and Hospitality should communicate unique destination features of Kenya and this can influence tourist behavior i.e. food and drinks of the 42 tribes.