Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya

This dissertation uses a livelihood analysis approach to examine the potential role of tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction. While many studies have examined the role of tourism in economic and local area development in developing countries, this research focuses on understanding the impact o...

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Main Author: Kareithi, Samuel
Published: University of Bedfordshire 2004
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.410289
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spelling ndltd-bl.uk-oai-ethos.bl.uk-4102892015-03-19T05:00:50ZTourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, KenyaKareithi, Samuel2004This dissertation uses a livelihood analysis approach to examine the potential role of tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction. While many studies have examined the role of tourism in economic and local area development in developing countries, this research focuses on understanding the impact of tourism upon the livelihoods of poor people, in this case Narok in Kenya. The thesis first reviews the theoretical explanations and definitions of poverty within the discourse of development studies. The key argument of the thesis is that the continued macro economic focus for tourism development in developing countries is inappropriate for targeting poverty. The macro economic discourse assumes that the benefits of economic growth from tourism will trickle down through a series of economic multiplier processes to 'poorer' sections of the population. Yet, this research shows that poor people have different definitions of poverty from those that are conventionally used in macroeconomics. Poor people's definitions are based upon their own local circumstances of making a livelihood. It is argued that it is therefore necessary to understand the term 'poverty' as defined by the 'poor' in order to produce tourism strategies that are 'pro poor'. Using multiple methods and narratives of poverty experiences in the Narok District of Kenya, the study investigates the local perceptions of poverty amongst poor people that participate in tourism livelihood activities. Using a livelihood analysis, the study examines the economic, social and political factors that affect how poor are able to access and use tourism in their livelihoods. Subsequently, recommendations are made on the institutional structures that would enhance the livelihood opportunities for poor people in Narok. The research concludes that for tourism to maximize its contribution to poverty reduction, various policy and institutional adjustments are necessary in order to shift the economic benefits of tourism towards poor people. Such changes would not only secure the livelihoods of those already involved in tourism, but also expand the potential for poor people who are currently excluded from economic participation in tourism.338.4791096762N840 International Tourism : livelihood analysis : poverty : poverty reduction : Kenya : Narok : tourismUniversity of Bedfordshirehttp://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.410289http://hdl.handle.net/10547/293249Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
collection NDLTD
sources NDLTD
topic 338.4791096762
N840 International Tourism : livelihood analysis : poverty : poverty reduction : Kenya : Narok : tourism
spellingShingle 338.4791096762
N840 International Tourism : livelihood analysis : poverty : poverty reduction : Kenya : Narok : tourism
Kareithi, Samuel
Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
description This dissertation uses a livelihood analysis approach to examine the potential role of tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction. While many studies have examined the role of tourism in economic and local area development in developing countries, this research focuses on understanding the impact of tourism upon the livelihoods of poor people, in this case Narok in Kenya. The thesis first reviews the theoretical explanations and definitions of poverty within the discourse of development studies. The key argument of the thesis is that the continued macro economic focus for tourism development in developing countries is inappropriate for targeting poverty. The macro economic discourse assumes that the benefits of economic growth from tourism will trickle down through a series of economic multiplier processes to 'poorer' sections of the population. Yet, this research shows that poor people have different definitions of poverty from those that are conventionally used in macroeconomics. Poor people's definitions are based upon their own local circumstances of making a livelihood. It is argued that it is therefore necessary to understand the term 'poverty' as defined by the 'poor' in order to produce tourism strategies that are 'pro poor'. Using multiple methods and narratives of poverty experiences in the Narok District of Kenya, the study investigates the local perceptions of poverty amongst poor people that participate in tourism livelihood activities. Using a livelihood analysis, the study examines the economic, social and political factors that affect how poor are able to access and use tourism in their livelihoods. Subsequently, recommendations are made on the institutional structures that would enhance the livelihood opportunities for poor people in Narok. The research concludes that for tourism to maximize its contribution to poverty reduction, various policy and institutional adjustments are necessary in order to shift the economic benefits of tourism towards poor people. Such changes would not only secure the livelihoods of those already involved in tourism, but also expand the potential for poor people who are currently excluded from economic participation in tourism.
author Kareithi, Samuel
author_facet Kareithi, Samuel
author_sort Kareithi, Samuel
title Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
title_short Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
title_full Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
title_fullStr Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in Narok District, Kenya
title_sort tourism and development : using tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction in narok district, kenya
publisher University of Bedfordshire
publishDate 2004
url http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.410289
work_keys_str_mv AT kareithisamuel tourismanddevelopmentusingtourismasastrategyforpovertyreductioninnarokdistrictkenya
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