The role of tourism in the growth of Malindi and its environs

Abstract

The relationship between tourism and economic development is a subject of considerable controversy especially in the developing countries where tourism has come to be regarded as a panacea to the problem of balance of payments. This controversy is no doubt brought about by the complexity of the subject and d,iversity of perspectives. What is generally ,,recognized is that, wherever tourism plays a major role in the economy,' it brings with it many pecuniary and non-pecuniary benefits and costs. The exact nature and extent of the role of tourism in development is normally not very clear. This study is an attempt at understanding the implications of development of tourism on the economic and social lives of the residents of a tourist destination are~! The study set out for assess the impact of tourism on the following socio-economic aspects in Malindi (one of the oldest tourist resorts in Kenya) (i) impact on employment (ii) linkage effects with other economic sectors, namely agriculture, fishing and commerce . (iii) impact on infrastructure