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FACTORS ENHANCING RURAL TOURISM ON THE LOCAL AREA A CASE OFMACHAKOS KENYA
AUTHOR: JANET M ESTHER
ADM: DTM/014/13
MOI UNIVERSITY
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OFDIPLOMA IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT OF MOI UNIVERSITY.
SCHOOL OF TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT.
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT
DATE OF SUBMISSION 2ND AUG 2014
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Declaration by candidate
This is my original work and has not been presented in any institution of learning for any academic award .No part of this proposal should be used without the prior permission bythe author or Moi University.
Name: Janet, Esther Signature…………………… Date: 2nd Aug 2014
Declaration by the supervisorThis work has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisor
Name…………………………..
Signature………………………….Date:
ii
Dedication
This research is dedicated to my beloved parents, for the
moral and financial support they have accorded me while
preparing this paper. God bless them all.
iii
Acknowledgements
I thank The Almighty God for the sustenance, wisdom and
strength he has accorded me to undertake this project.
Secondly, I thank my family and friends for their love and
moral support throughout the period of my studies. I would
like to sincerely appreciate the work of my supervisor
without whose guidance and incisive comments I would not
have undertaken this project successfully. I also wish to
thank the entire fraternity of the Moi University staff who
were supportive through the entire fraternity of the school
uniform limited .To all of you ,thank you and God bless you.
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Abstract
This research paper identifies the available tourist attraction facilities within the Machakos County in Kenya. This is to address how the locals participate directly or can participate in the entrepreneurship either by providing accommodation and other attractions to either local or international tourists. This focus study in Machakos County
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tries to find out the best way of re -imaging of rural areasfeatures and activities to make them tourist attractive, andto relate rural tourism with social cultural and economic elements of rural areas. The area is not well imaged, commodified and packaged to tap the rural tourism potential of the area, despite the current county government trying torevitalize declining areas and ensure their possibilities ofachieving a sustainable future; much still needs to be done.In the final analysis, the identification of character as being significant for place is of critical importance for rural areas and the notion of rurality.
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the background that would enable an in depth analysis of the phenomena. It also highlights the main objectives that further interrogate the underlying assumptions while guiding the study.
1.2 Background of the Study
People go to places for different reasons: Temporary change of location, relaxation, recreation, getting acquainted withtraditions and spending the leisure time.Nowadays, rural tourism has turned into a leading economic activity and studies show a positive relationship between developing rural tourism and an increase in income. It can be a suitable way to enhance economic advantage and employment. Considering the potentials for rural tourism, Machakos County can act to enhance its economy and rural economy as well.
Today, the importance of tourism and the necessity of conducting research on it because of significanteconomic, and social, and cultural roles that it can play isknown for everyone. It had turned into one of the most important factors to create wealth, job, dynamism,moving people, and national assets .In any country, the entrance of tourist corresponds with income enhancement and economic. At this purpose, rural tourism must be considered like a complex plurality of multi -faced activities, contributing both to growth of other activities in rural areas and to improvement of life qualityfor local inhabitants, all this as part of an effective rural development integrated system.
With downturns in rural economies over the last three decades, it is perhaps understandable that governments have given a great deal of attention to the
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economic benefits of tourism, particularly for rural areas attempting to keep pace and adapt to the vigorous globalized economy. As Telfer (2002) suggested, growing numbers of city-dwellers are getting away from it all in thecountryside. One of the advantages of rural tourism is that it is based on local; initiatives, local management, has local spin -offs, is rooted in local scenery and it taps into local culture. In theory, the emphasis on the local can help to generate regional development. According to Sharpley and Sharpley (1997), rural tourism is increasingly being used for socio -economic regeneration and diversification. While the definition of rural varies in different countries, Sharpley and Sharpley (1997: 20) further describe rural as all areas ‘both land and water, that lie beyond towns and cities which, in national and regional contexts, may be described as major urban centers’.For tourism to be described as rural tourism then it should mirror the characteristics that signify a rural area including small settlements, low population densities, agrarian -based economies and traditional societies. Lane (1994) details the difficulty in attempting to create a definition of rural tourism as not all tourism in rural areas is strictly rural. Rural tourism extends beyond farm -based tourism to include:Special-interest nature holidays and ecotourism, walking,climbing and riding holidays, adventure, sport and health tourism, hunting and angling, educational travel, arts and heritage tourism, and in some areas, ethnic tourism. (Lane, 1994:9)
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Against this background, it is at this point that
useful reference may be made to the experience in
Kenya on the ground that an understanding of entrepreneurial
opportunities of rural tourism development issues in a
2
different cultural and institutional context can add new
perspective on common concerns. The Government of Machakos
through the its devolved Ministry of Tourism and the central
government’s Kenya Tourist Board are working round the clock
to develop the city in order to make it an international
and domestic tourist destination. Greater strides have been
already made with the bus station being decorated and
artificial flower gardens placed in strategic places e.g.
Makutano Junction. A greater part of Machakos County is made
up of rural areas, considering this; it means that most of
the touristic activities and features that this region can
offer are based in the rural areas within the county.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.4.1 General Objectives
The purpose of the study was to establish factors enhancing
tourism on the local area .Machakos County was our case
study.
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
The purposes of the study with a higher importance are as
follows:
a) Recognizing the inputs and the support the county
government can offer for the growth of rural tourism in
Machakos County.
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b) The tourists' familiarity with tourist attractions
in Machakos County
c) Training individuals for giving service to rural
tourism in Machakos county
d) Preparing individuals for establishing and managing
rural small industries in Machakos county using
technology.
1.5 Research Questions
The following questions will guide the study
a) How does the government of Machakos county involvement
help in rural tourism growth?
b) How does culture affect rural tourism?
c) How do training rural dwellers support and respond to
changes induced by tourism?
d) What is the effect of technology on growth of rural
tourism?
1.6. Justification of the Study
The most important purpose of tourism development is
economic and social development of the tourism areas.
Although a minor part of tourism includes rural tourism and
plays an important role in economics of rural areas of
developed countries, but other advantages and even received
harms through these activities in rural areas should not be
4
neglected. As some benefits may be obtained from tourist
development, its inappropriate development will bring about
losses and negative effects. Nevertheless, the level of
these effects would be changed proportionate to different
factors such as importance of local tourism industry,
potentials of tourists and their activities, consolidation
of local environment and authority of local cultures and
customs. Certainly, tourism development would not be met
unless some expenses are being considered for it and in line
with this purpose the village’s environment may be put at
risk. Machakos County has a diversity of rural residential
areas and tourist attraction sites, and the most attractive
sites which enjoy a higher potential for tourism enter this
study. Here we have conducted field and library research
using two types of questionnaires distributed to rural
residents and organizations responsible for tourism.
1.7. Limitation of the Study
1.7.1 Accessibility to Information
Accessibility to information and premises was thought would
be challenging but the study will attempt to make some
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formal request from the relevant authority to enable
effective facilitation of the study.
1.7.2 Confidentiality
Confidentiality issues in work place are thought would pose
a daunting challenge but an attempt will be made in earnest
to mitigate these issues.
1.7. Study area
The study will be confined to the Machakos County rural and
the focus will be in assessing the factors enhancing rural
tourism on the local areas. The study will be carried out
during the months of June and July 2014.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This section reviews literature related to the current
study. This chapter comprises the review of past studies,
critical review and the summary.
2.2 Review of Theoretical Literature
The motivation behind most villages is to escape limitations
and the urban routine life and the regulations opposite to
the free will and voluntary entertainment. Nevertheless,
organizing the tourists is a crucial part in the procedures
of rural tourism management (Taj, 2004).
Rural tourism is tourism, which is directly and positively
linked to the economic, social, cultural and natural
resource in the rural region in which it takes place. It
seeks to make optimal use of these resources. It is
basically a perspective or an approach to tourism
development, which is sensitive to the nature of local
resources, traditions and opportunities, for sharing in the 7
benefits of tourism development. Operationally, it is
characterised by a number of concepts, which reflect
adherence to certain guiding procedures and processes judged
to be desirable for the development of tourism in rural
areas.
These are outlined below, and in the case of each, key
findings from the study are reported:
2.2.1. Destination profiling and promotion
Tourism in the rural is mainly small-scale and centred on
the special interest markets. It is heavily dependent on its
extensive inland waterways, in particular its lakes, rivers
and canals, attracting those seeking water-based activity,
more especially angling and inland cruising. In general
tourism terms, the region does not hold a definite tourism
image that distinguishes nor differentiates it from other
similar regions, resulting in a mixed and confused tourism
image.
Such mixed images are evident among tourists themselves.
Prior to visiting, they perceive the region as being an out
of the way place, a nothing to do place; lacking in
spectacular scenery but, that it has an excellent road
infrastructure which routes them to other destinations like
Tsavo.
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Though some businesses and agencies are firmly built on
place-specific resources, their use of images and imagery in
their promotional and marketing activity is perceived as
weak. The use of imagery in promotion is characteristic of
the tourism industry in that the tangible nature of regions
such as the Kyamwilu product means that potential customers
place greater importance on the image being portrayed in
order to inform their purchasing decision.
This study suggests that the lack of such an image may be
attributed to the fact that the Machakos County has no clear
status as a tourism destination, rendering it difficult to
have a tourism image associated with it. The associated
rural areas of Machakos counties are also linked with
witchcraft a phenomenon perceived by respondents to be the
‘poor relation’ within the regional tourism structure.
For effective tourism development to occur there is a real
need for the region to expand its tourism image beyond the
Kyamwilu alone, and to develop the other resource images
such as cultural and human, which are readily available.
Distinct regional imagery can add to the differentiation of
the regional quality products and services, and there is
scope in the study to link its defined characteristics with
customers’ perceptions and values.
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2.2.2. Appropriate scale
Machakos County Draft envisages tourism development to be
appropriate to issues of congestion, carrying capacity and
seasonality. For tourism in rural areas to be effectively
‘integrated’, it must be organised at an appropriate scale,
and lean more towards ‘soft’, rather than ‘hard’ tourism.
Compared to its spatial extent and variety of resources, the
volume of tourism to the study is relatively low. The season
is short, although some events/activities take place
throughout the year. Some local areas have a comparatively
high influx of visitors at certain times, placing
constraints on catering services, creating traffic
congestion, as well as limited parking space. But even then,
the scale of tourism activity is not such as to raise
serious problems about reaching the limits of ‘absorption
capacity’ – physically, culturally or socially.
The range of tourism activities, attractions and services
offered does not entice many non-specialist or general type
of visitor to the region; general visitors interviewed
expressed dissatisfaction with what was on offer by the way
of family-focused activities, local transport, choice of
food outlets, and the range of package holidays available.
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What the region needs is more tourists as well as a tourism
infrastructure that will meet their needs, such as an
improved range of accommodation, information, and improved
choice of attractions and activities. Tourism development is
well within its carrying capacity for resource based
tourism.
2.2.3. Local control and retention of benefits
Machakos County draft is based on the desirability for local
interests to have a strong influence on decision-making and
that tourism benefits remain within the local community. In
our study, a considerable share of tourism development
action is instigated locally, but it is noticeable that the
interest levels among actors to participate in the tourism
decision-making process is low. Most of them see their role
in tourism as minimal and unimportant. At the community
level difficulties in; accessing capital; feeling isolated
from centralised organisations; disaffected by the
bureaucratic procedures, as well as the perception that some
national agencies, intentionally or otherwise, pay greater
attention to the main tourism destinations, are growing and
have led to a feeling of communities being dis-empowered
over resource use in their region.
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Indirect and direct development agencies operating in the
region are extensions of state or semi-state bodies and, as
such, are exogenous. The policy of the various county led
tourism agencies involved in training, marketing and
accommodation approval is determined at the county level, in
“Mutua’s” interest. However, county tourism policy
implementation has implications at the local level. The key
policy decisions still tend to be taken at county level,
which respondents felt further reduces their influence in
the rural. Core tourism institutions, which operate outside
the region, are not built around the specific circumstances.
There is also a degree of concern about the influx of
outside capital and enterprise in some of the newer types of
development, such as self-catering accommodation and cruise
hire company ownership.
2.2.4. Resource complementarity and cross use
Tourism essentially happens if it joins forces with some
other resource, thus depending on partnership to some
degree. The concept of complementarity and cross use
includes a number of ideas: complementarity between tourism
provision and provision for the indigenous population;
linkages between agency programme, and between tourism and
the resources within a place.
12
Resources can include human, social, natural, cultural and
economic, through strategic packaging and marketing of
‘linked-up’ local products. There are good examples of
multiple and compatible resource use in the rural areas.
The study points to the fact that complementarity and cross
use is not being fully embraced among stakeholders in the
region, and tends to be an informal, task-oriented, once-off
effort. Many stakeholders do not consciously give practical
effect to achieving complementarity in their resource use
activities. This may be attributed to their not seeing their
role as primarily serving tourism. Other obstacles to
complementarity may include the lack of strategic vision for
developing the region and lack of complementarity among
development activities such as housing, physical planning
and infra-structural development.
2.2.5. Sustainability
Potential to increase tourist numbers in certain areas and
during low tourist periods was acknowledged. However, the
type of tourism development was considered important in
determining tourism impact on communities’ everyday lives.
It was felt however, that the natural resources are being
harnessed in a sustainable manner, and thus far have not
been affected negatively by tourism. There is concern
13
regarding farming and industry practices, which have shown
some minor environmental impacts, and which in turn could
impact on the long-term viability of water-based tourism.
Further, these environmental impacts may at the same time
have a negative influence on the social and recreational
life of host communities.
Economically, the consensus prevails that tourism is not a
viable option in the region unless serious support from the
tourism agencies is provided, especially in regard to
facilitating effective collective action, product
development and up-skilling for tourism.
Coupled with this is the region’s attraction for the
independent, older tourist, with limited purchasing power,
rendering its tourism economically vulnerable? Its short
tourism season has stifled commitment to businesses and
tourists, and presents a real insecurity to those working
in, and dependent on tourism. Most providers, for example
are holding down a second job, with their tourism business
operating on a seasonal basis.
In the more remote areas, much of the tourism initiatives
have depended on voluntary effort within local communities.
While volunteerism is an important contributor to locally
14
based tourism, respondents believe that it alone cannot not
sustain tourism initiatives in the long term.
To counter such decline, integrated tourism development
encourages tourism product and service diversification. In
the rural areas, tourism can be enhanced with further
development focusing on the organic sector, the arts and
cultural sector, underpinned by an improved range of tourism
accommodation and food outlets.
2.2.6. Quality
The pursuit of quality in all aspects of the rural tourism
place, product and service is paramount, and increasingly
quality has become a major interest among providers in a
growing competitive tourism sector. It is also an important
determinant of consumers’ choice. In the Rural areas, while
a high satisfaction rate prevails among tourists, they were
critical in some respects. The quality, range and choice of
tourism activities and services in the region were
questioned and concern was raised as to its ability to
remain sustainable or to compete with similar tourism
destinations in Kenya.
Non-specialist tourists in particular expressed
dissatisfaction with the range of attractions and services
available to tourists in the rural areas of Machakos County.
15
Significant improvements were needed: greater opportunity
for family focused recreation activities; improved bus and
rail access; ease of access to walking trails; wider choice
of food outlets and tourism accommodation and an improved
range of package-holidays offered.
Several other improvements included more provision of public
amenities, parking areas, public toilets, lighting, litter
control, security and tourist safety. These were seen as the
responsibility of the relevant county government agencies,
local authorities, host communities, farmers and land-
owners.
In general, tourists felt that the quality of tourism
information needed to be vastly improved so as to encourage
visitors to stay in the rural areas and incorporate it into
their holiday experience. This would also encourage greater
tourist involvement whilst in the region. Information was
badly needed re: sign-posting, well-illustrated maps of
cycling and walking trails, which anchors much of the
tourism activity in the region.
The high quality natural, cultural and social resources must
be exploited as a key differentiating factor between the
rural areas of Machakos and other similar tourism
destinations. It already affords a reputable quality natural
16
and rural environment, but the perception prevails that
there is quality slippage leading to inconsistencies.
The lack of ‘consistent’ quality, especially in the food,
accommodation, information and special interest category is
becoming evident in light of other destinations being
established. Product providers and local tourism committees
were deemed responsible for ensuring that these issues were
dealt with.
Respondents firmly believed that if quality is not addressed
the region would suffer and would face difficulties in
remaining comparative and competitive with other similar
regions. The value for money apparent in the region must not
be lost into the future.
2.3 Review of Critical Literature
Boyldet (2008) analysed training as an experimental
phenomenon aimed at transforming the behaviour of an
individual. Training is mainly concerned with
internationally produced learning occurring to cause people
to behave differently by applying skills during training in
either job. Learning derived from training should be
associated with enhancing job performance or raised
capabilities as otherwise; the creditability of this problem
is at risk. While this is true the author failed to show the
17
relationship that exist between the variable and the study
phenomenon and hence the need to address the gaps
Armstrong (2005) organization theory has been proposed to
explain what happen when individuals perceive an imbalance
between what they put in to a job and what they get. Reward
that is not visible to the employee may fail to get desired
motivating effect from the employee. On the other hand a
truly visible reward gets the attention not only of
individual employees but also of their peers. While this is
true the author failed to show the relationship that exist
between the variable and the study phenomenon and hence the
need to address the gaps
Kortler (2005) argues that transmitting vision to employees
and using every communication channel possible are central
elements in the success of a change. More recent research
from Larkin and Larkin (2007) indicate more efficient ways
to present change to employees, and describe the appropriate
communication channels to use. Even if managers are
receptive at meetings, and understand values, vision, and
mission, this process is not efficient with employees. With
employees you need to communicate facts, and to present
value through action, not through words. While this is true
the author failed to show the relationship that exist
18
between the variable and the study phenomenon and hence the
need to address the gaps
Reynolds (2001) indicated that technology eliminates
movement and queue time between operations thereby reducing
inventories hence the cost of the final product is also
reduced. When there is a group technology in which similar
parts are grouped into families and the processes required
to make the parts are arranged in a specialized work cell,
the number of employees required is reduced hence the cost
of the inventories is also reduced. With technology more
products are produced with fewer workers. While this is true
the author failed to show the relationship that exist
between the variable and the study phenomenon and hence the
need to address the gaps
2.4 Summary
In view of the above study conducted by several authors,
there still exists certain gap that still needs to be
filled. These gaps emanates from the fact that very little
literature is available in relation to the study area. In
this regard this study will attempt to analyze and review
what would enhance the creation of new knowledge.
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2.5 Conceptual Framework
Figure 2.5 Schematic Presentation of the Framework
Independent Variables
Dependent Variable
Source; Author (2014)
2.5.1 Training
Training is a planned process to modify attitude, knowledge
or skill behaviour through learning experience. It aims at
achieving effective performance in an activity or range of
activities. Its purpose, in work situation, is to develop
the abilities of the individual and to satisfy the current
and future manpower needs of the organization. Training will
enable the rural dwellers grasp the greater importance of
rural tourism.20
Training rural
Rural tourism
Machakos government
Culture
Technology
2.5.2 Machakos Government
With infrastructure available i.e. good roads and extensive
support to the rural dwellers both financially as well as
through civic education we realised more and more people
will be able to embrace tourism related ventures hence the
growth of rural tourism
2.5.3 Culture
Upholding some traditional practices and supporting them we
realised could easily enhance rural tourism.Ciondos made of
sisal thread we realised are being faced out and in place
cheaper alternatives made of fabric brought into the market.
Such a case is easily killing cultural creativity as well as
sources of income. Traditional music a thing that brought
people so close has been replaced with trendy hip hop music.
2.5.4 Technology
Technology is generally aimed at eliminating human error and
laxity. Technology improves the analysis of information and
decision making through; coordinating processes across
distance; coordination between tasks and processes and
eliminating intermediaries from a process.
21
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1. Introduction22
This chapter presents the methodology, which will be used to
carry out the study. It further describes the type and
source of data, the target population and sampling methods
and the techniques that was used to select the sample size.
It also describes how data was collected and analysed.
3.2. Research Design
The present study makes use of library and field research
because tourism is a wide range concept which needs
traveling all over the county in order to better discover
instances of culture and tourist spots for the purpose of
planning. In addition, the domestic and foreign books,
articles and magazines as well as statistics and Internet
sites were used to gather information. For the field
research, observation, interview, designing and filling out
of questionnaires were used for the targets villages and
tourism organizations. The questioners were then distributed
among the target population and data was gathered. The
research method is a goal based procedure to find an answer
to a question or a solution to a problem. In this study, we
tried to find the answers to our questions using library and
field research. Two different questioners were used for data
collections which were distributed to the tourists and
through rural residents. The data gathered in field research
were cross checked with the realities of the place. Also
effort was made to directly investigate the facilities.
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3.3. Target Population
The research population falls into two categories. The first
group is the villagers of Machakos county who are the
residents of Katoloni,Makutano and Kyamwilu . Some sample
villages were chosen out of these towns, which were the most
attractive to the visitors, as many as 32. The second
group is the tourist for tourism. From each town four
villages were chosen.
Table 3.1 Target Population
Population Category Target Population Percentage
Villager 138 1%
County governmentrepresentative
17 6%
tourist 5 93%
Total 160 100% Source: Author (2014)
3.4. Data Collection Method
A questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. A
questionnaire is a printed self-report form designed to
elicit information that can be obtained through the written
responses of the subjects (Burns and Grove 1993).
Questionnaire is decided upon because of the following: it
24
will ensure a high response rate as the questionnaires are
distributed to respondents to complete and are collected
personally by the researcher.
3.4.1 Reliability
Kothari 2005, refer to reliability as the degree of
consistency with which an instrument measures the attribute
it is designed to measure. Reliability can also be ensured
by minimizing sources of measurement error like data
collector bias.
3.4.2 Validity
The validity of an instrument is the degree to which an
instrument measures what it is intended to measure (Kothari
2005). Content validity refers to the extent to which an
instrument represents the factors under study.
3.4.3 Pilot Test
A pre-test refers to a trial administration of an instrument
to identify flaws. When a questionnaire is used as a data
gathering instrument, it is necessary to determine whether
questions and directions are clear to subjects and whether
they understand what is required from them. This is referred
to as the pretesting of a questionnaire (Mugenda and Mugenda
2003). The researcher will pre-test the questionnaire on
three respondents meeting the set criteria of a similar
25
organization. All of them will be required to answer the
questions and where necessary questions will be changed
clarity.
3.5. Data Analysis Method and Presentation
After the data was collected it was organized and analysed.
For the analysis of closed-ended questions, a computer aided
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used.
Data will be analyzed by using descriptive statistics.
Frequency tables were drawn and from these the data were
presented in pie charts and bar graphs.
3.7. Research hypotheses
The hypotheses related to the rural areas with tourism
potentials;
3.7.1. Hypothesis one: Providing information enhances the
development of rural tourism. Advertisements, the
authorities’ attention to the villages, as well as holding
meetings and fairs for the rural products all have
significant roles in attracting tourists and visitors to
these areas. Based on this hypothesis, 15.1% checked the
"very much" box, 31% the much, 34.6% average, 17.3% little,
and 2% very little (Figure 3.7.1)
26
3.7.2. Hypothesis two: Facilities can enhance the
development of rural tourism The following factors were
effective to attract tourists: The present rural
facilities such as: Electricity, water, school, stores,
mosque, infirmaries, communication centres, internet, banks,
needed facilities for tourists, accommodations and guest-
house, villas, having quite place, vocational and
residential places for organization, private and
governmental investment, people income and rural nearness to
city centre is important in tourism development. Based on
this hypothesis, 15.7% checked the "very much" box, 4.29%
the much, 36.8% average, 16% little, and 0% very little
(Figure 3.7.2).
27
3.7.3. Hypothesis Three: Rural infrastructure is effective in
developing rural tourism rural infrastructures include:
Transportation roads, organizational and institutional
planning, and state attention to investors, easy local
access and the development of small rural industry. In this
hypothesis, 12.7% chose the very much, 35.8% much, 33.9%
average, 17.1% little, and 0.5% very little Figure 3.7.3.
28
3.7.4. Hypothesis four: Cultural factors affect the development
of rural tourism Cultural factors include: Religious places
and holy shrines, rural historical and archaeology
monuments, traditions, greeting style of villagers, and
special occasions such as mourning, wedding and people's
beliefs. It is necessary to point that these traditions are
becoming rarer and less important because of the emigration
to the cities and because the letters are becoming empty of
population. Based on this hypothesis, 15.6% chose very much,
26.6% much, 42.7% average, 14.4% little, and 0.7% very
little Figure 3.7.4.
29
CHAPTER FOURRESULTS AND DISCUSIONS
Having various links with the neighbouring Counties of
Nairobi, Kajiando, Iambus, Makueni and Ole Kajiando as well
as the Konza city Project has always been important. Because
of the many tourist spots throughout the province, more and
more visitors come to spend their spare times and occasions
every year. Because of having the natural landscapes and
historical background, Machakos County can be turned into an
important local and international tourist centre. Being on
the cross sectional point of several other Counties,
proximity to the capital, good roads, convenience, and a
variety of spots are among the most important factors in the
development of tourism in this county. Special
geographical conditions and climate as well as status of
topography, geography, and geomorphology signify the unique
30
potentials of Machakos County in ecotourism. However,
tourism and natural tourism specially (ecotourism) have not
developed. If the potentials of tourism are rightfully
exploited, there would be a possibility to enhance the poor
villages which are the traditional protectors of their
surroundings, besides having various regional and national
advantages. Furthermore, ecotourism can bear positive and
negative effects on the nature and the environment, which
indicates the necessity for planning and supervising to
remove the negative consequences and strengthen the positive
effects on the environment.
Nowadays urban and even rural life are affected by
industrial revolution and the boosted population gave
birth to many problems, so placing a high value on
cultural treasures seems to be a must to strengthening human
relations and establishing a peaceful life on the earth. The
cultural relations among the nations which had taken place
through the tourism industry and acquaintance with the
cultural heritage can bear undesirable, as well as peaceful
consequences. Therefore, preserving cultural values in any
society or country must be a priority when designing
national plans. The historical remnants, treasures and
documents of high cultural values are supposed to be
preserved and fairly protected to be passed on to the future
generation.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECCOMMENDATIONS
The report of the Machakos County draft provides a thorough
analysis of the changing conflict of international tension,
the performance of the Machakos county tourism sector and
the challenges it faces in the future. The group set a
target to increase overseas visitor numbers from 3 million
to 10 million by 2017.
The groups’ strategy is developed from an aggregate national
perspective. There is now a particular need to give this a
clear original and rural dimension, focusing on the special
circumstances of rural based tourism. The more rural regions
have not benefited commensurately from the expansion of
visitor numbers over the past decade. There is also a
worrying decline in the number of outdoor activity pursuits
in which Machakos rural areas could be deemed to have a
clear advantage.
On the basis of studies in the Catalonia areas, this paper
has sought to set out key elements of a strategy to promote
tourism in rural areas in an integrated manner. These
elements include an emphasis on profiling places and place
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imagery, quality product and services, complementary
resource use, appropriate scale, networking and partnership,
economic and environmental sustainability and the retention
of economic benefits locally. Integrated rural tourism
requires a cohesive framework for its implementation.
The study has revealed that, while there are many
stakeholders in the rural tourism process, they are involved
to different degrees of intensity without a strong
consciousness of being engaged in a common effort. It can
also be deduced that tourism administration is fragmented
and compartmentalised and that there is a need for the
region to define a strategy and a precise action plan to
manage different activities in a sustainable and integrated
manner.
It is also important to note that there is need for improved
mutual awareness of opportunities and threats among those
indirectly involved in tourism. They need to be brought into
a more inclusive structure facilitating a concerted effort
in developing the regions potential for integrated tourism.
In this context, an important sub-group are the regions’
landholders, whose attitudes must be in tune with the need
to facilitate the greater use of rural space.
33
Rural tourism now requires its own dedicated structures to
give thrust and focus to the task of rolling out the Review
Groups national strategy to rural areas. These structures
should be inclusive of all agencies with direct and indirect
involvement in tourism.
In this regard the recent Machakos Government decision to
establish Osa Vinya Mukamba Initiative is to be welcomed. In
supporting an integrated approach, the ultimate success of
new institutional structures will lie in the opportunity and
capacity of community groups to achieve greater influence on
decision-making.
Additionally, rural tourism interests need to coordinate and
strengthen their own constituency in influencing national
policy with a firm voice. Current moves to establish a
federation of such interests is another step in the right
direction.
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