Factors influencing community participation in sustainable Tourism development: a case of Nyambene region

Abstract

Community participation in tourism is a major method of improving the quality of the physical environment, enhancing services, preventing crime and improving social conditions. The purpose of this research was to determine the factors influencing community participation in sustainable tourism development in Nyambene region in line with system approach theory and dependency theory. The following objectives were used for the study: to determine the influence of availability of appropriate organizations on community participation in sustainable tourism development; to determine the influence of better knowledge of tourism on community participation in sustainable tourism development; and finally to determine the influence of alternative business opportunity on community participation in sustainable tourism development.

The population composed an aggregate of all the designated set of specifIcations. Convenience sampling and quota sampling of non probability sampling was used to compare the strata given the difference in sampling fractions that will enable the researcher make empirically supported generalizations from the findings. Descriptive research design approaches was adopted to enable appreciation of all the aspects of the subjects and to develop a set of critical variables. Data was collected through use of questionnaires. Correlation and descriptive statistics tests was adopted to appreciate the analysis of the data through the statistical package for social science.

In conclusion, a summary ofthe finding, discussion, conclusions and recommendations for the study were made. It is then being concluded that availability of appropriate organizations was the most important influence of community participation in sustainable tourism development in Nyambene followed by better knowledge of tourism and alternative business. To improve community participation therefore, more emphasis should be put on improving knowledge of tourism and creating more tourism organization