Research Article

Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya

Volume: 14 Number: 1 April 15, 2021
TR EN

Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya

Abstract

Tourism plays a significant role in the economic development of Kenya. However, the development of the sector continues to face challenges arising both locally and globally. This study identifies and analyses these problems and how they impact tourism activities. The study provides a brief overview of the role of international tourism by highlighting its socio-economic, environmental, and political contributions to the development of the country. Also discussed are the sustainability issues around mass tourism and the effect it has on the environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects of life in the host regions. The key to addressing the tourism sector performance is the understanding of the significant role the market plays. Focusing on this, the study examines emerging issues in the Kenyan tourism sector i.e. seasonality, overreliance on the international market, impacts of tourism infrastructure development on space among others, and their roles in shaping the tourism industry. It is established that overdependence on the international market exposes Kenyan tourism to global risks that could result in the collapse of the sector, thus negatively affecting the economy. To safeguard the country from external risks, the study proposes the strengthening of domestic tourism by encouraging local investors' participation in international tourism. The study also identifies the main problems related to tourism activities in Kenya including; pollution, destruction of cultural heritage, the threat to the health of both human and aquatic life, human-wildlife conflicts, less economic benefits to local communities and host nations dues to dominance by transnational corporations, social ills like drug abuse, luring of young girls into sex resulting into early pregnancy and school drop-out among other problems. The findings of this research are based on a review of previously done research literature, academic documents, government reports among other secondary and primary sources of data.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Yok

References

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  2. Akama, J. S. (1997). Tourism development in Kenya: Problems and policy alternatives. Progress in Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3(2), 95-105.
  3. Akama, J. S. (2000). The efficacy of tourism as a tool for economic development in Kenya.
  4. Atieno, L., & Njoroge, J. M. (2018). The ecotourism metaphor and environmental sustainability in Kenya. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 18(1), 49-60.
  5. Bedelian, C. (2014). Conservation, tourism and pastoral livelihoods: wildlife conservancies in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. UCL (University College London)
  6. Buigut, S. (2018). Effect of terrorism on demand for tourism in Kenya: A comparative analysis. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 18(1), 28-37.
  7. Buigut, S., & Amendah, D. D. (2016). Effect of terrorism on demand for tourism in Kenya. Tourism Economics, 22(5), 928-938.
  8. Cannon, B. J., & Ruto Pkalya, D. (2019). Why al-Shabaab Attacks Kenya: Questioning the Narrative Paradigm. Terrorism and Political Violence, 31(4), 836-852. Carbone, F. (2017). International tourism and cultural diplomacy: A new conceptual approach towards global mutual understanding and peace through tourism. Turizam: međunarodni znanstveno-stručni časopis, 65(1), 61-74.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 15, 2021

Submission Date

November 6, 2020

Acceptance Date

March 11, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 14 Number: 1

APA
Gunduz, E., & Agayi, C. (2021). Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya. Kent Akademisi, 14(1), 174-185. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.822245
AMA
1.Gunduz E, Agayi C. Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya. Urban Academy. 2021;14(1):174-185. doi:10.35674/kent.822245
Chicago
Gunduz, Elif, and Collins Agayi. 2021. “Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya”. Kent Akademisi 14 (1): 174-85. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.822245.
EndNote
Gunduz E, Agayi C (April 1, 2021) Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya. Kent Akademisi 14 1 174–185.
IEEE
[1]E. Gunduz and C. Agayi, “Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya”, Urban Academy, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 174–185, Apr. 2021, doi: 10.35674/kent.822245.
ISNAD
Gunduz, Elif - Agayi, Collins. “Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya”. Kent Akademisi 14/1 (April 1, 2021): 174-185. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.822245.
JAMA
1.Gunduz E, Agayi C. Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya. Urban Academy. 2021;14:174–185.
MLA
Gunduz, Elif, and Collins Agayi. “Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya”. Kent Akademisi, vol. 14, no. 1, Apr. 2021, pp. 174-85, doi:10.35674/kent.822245.
Vancouver
1.Elif Gunduz, Collins Agayi. Assessment of the State and Impact of Tourism Activities in Kenya. Urban Academy. 2021 Apr. 1;14(1):174-85. doi:10.35674/kent.822245

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