Hotel Management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/22542

Browse

Browsing Hotel Management by Author "Amachi Cicilia"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Influence of county government-led governance on ecotourism development in samburu national reserve
    (Chuka University, 2024) Amachi Cicilia
    Effective governance is crucial for managing natural resources and promoting sustainable ecotourism in Samburu National Reserve, yet its role remains underdocumented. The reserve continues to face persistent challenges, including inconsistent stakeholder inclusion, security issues, and ineffective policy enforcement. Despite efforts to address these challenges, the root causes remain unclear. This study assessed the influence of Samburu County government policies and management strategies on ecotourism development, using governance principles from the PROFOR/FAO Governance assessment framework. The study aimed to explore the influence of accountability, transparency, equity, security, and regulations on ecotourism development within Samburu National Reserve. A qualitative approach was employed using a single holistic case study method, which involved 26 semi-structured interviews with local community members, tourists, accommodation managers, and reserve management officials. To ensure reliability and validity, the research employed rigorous transcription checks, consistent coding with detailed memos, and validation through supervisor feedback, varied data sources, member checking, and peer reviews, ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the findings. Thematic analysis, guided by the six-step framework proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006), was conducted using both deductive and inductive approaches, with the aid of MAXQDA software. The findings of the study were presented using both quantitative and qualitative visual tools including tables, graphs, verbatim quotations and word cloud. The study found that while accountability and conservation efforts have improved community involvement and benefits, issues such as superficial participation, inequitable benefit distribution, cultural commodification, and transparency gaps persist, undermining sustainable ecotourism. Security challenges, including poaching, banditry, and human-wildlife conflicts, along with inconsistent enforcement of regulations due to limited ranger capacity, insufficient resources, and inadequate political will, particularly during peak tourist seasons, also threaten wildlife safety and governance effectiveness. Additionally, equity in benefit sharing remains uneven, with many locals feeling excluded from fair employment and compensation opportunities, highlighting the need for more inclusive, transparent, and equitable policies to foster genuine community engagement. To improve ecotourism, the study recommends promoting lesser-known activities, enhancing community engagement, and providing locals with skills in hospitality and conservation. Equitable revenue sharing, stronger security measures, and improved waste management policies are vital. Supporting local cultural initiatives and expanding conservation education will foster responsible tourism. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of governance on ecotourism, employ diverse data collection methods, and examine transparency practices, digital tools, and comprehensive governance frameworks to further enhance ecotourism development.