The contribution of tourism to poverty reduction: a case study of communities living adjacent to Amboseli national park, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigates t ourism’s contribution to poverty reduction amongst communities living adjacent to Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The study mainly employed a qualitative research design and data were collected through a mixed method approach involving in - depth interviews with a wide range of community members and key informant s and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with people directly involved with tourism. Some data was also gathered from secondary sources. The findings indicate that as at the time of this study tourism was making minimal contribution to poverty reduction. However, many people in Amboseli stated that even though the benefits from tourism were very limited they played an important role in improving the living conditions of the poor. The study also identified several problems that mak e it difficult for the people of Amboseli to dra w maximum benefits from tourism. Some these barriers included: tour driver and guide exploitation, inequitable benefit sharing and lack of broad based management structures. The study concludes that tourism has the potential to contribute to poverty reduction in Amboseli , however, this can only happen if there is a unity of purpose and renewed cooperation amongst all t ourism stakeholders , transparency and accountability in financial matters and popular participation in the decision - making processes.