WILDLIFE TOURISM AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA

Abstract

Wildlife tourism remains one of Kenya’s leading economic sectors through its contribution to employment, foreign exchange earnings, conservation financing and rural development. Despite these contributions, communities living around protected areas continue to experience limited and uneven economic benefits, raising concerns about the extent to which wildlife tourism promotes inclusive community economic development. This study assessed the contribution of wildlife tourism to inclusive community economic development among communities surrounding the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the contribution of wildlife tourism to employment among surrounding communities; assess the extent of local community involvement in tourism enterprises; examine the integration of local suppliers and producers into the tourism value chain; and evaluate the nature and level of tourism benefit distribution among surrounding communities. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample of 421 respondents was targeted, comprising local residents and key tourism stakeholders, from whom 307 respondents participated, representing a response rate of 79.9%. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used, while data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and Chi￾square tests, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that wildlife tourism contributes to employment and income generation; however, employment was characterized by low wages, seasonality and insecurity and did not have a statistically significant relationship with inclusive economic development (χ² = 165.593, p = 0.683). Community involvement in tourism enterprises had a statistically significant relationship with inclusive economic development (χ² = 53.672, p = 0.023), demonstrating the importance of community ownership, participation and decision￾making. Integration of local suppliers and producers into tourism value chains did not have a statistically significant relationship with inclusive economic development (χ² = 107.240, p = 0.421), although qualitative findings indicated opportunities constrained by limited skills, finance, market access and weak supplier linkages. Tourism benefit distribution had a highly statistically significant relationship with inclusive economic development (χ² = 79.110, p < 0.001), although unequal distribution and limited transparency remained challenges. The study concluded that wildlife tourism has significant potential to promote inclusive community economic development, but tourism benefits do not automatically translate into broad-based economic transformation. The study recommends strengthening community participation and local ownership, expanding training and access to higher-level employment opportunities, improving the integration of local suppliers into tourism value chains through capacity building and financial support, and strengthening transparent and equitable revenue-sharing mechanisms. These measures would enhance the ability of wildlife tourism to generate inclusive economic benefits for communities surrounding the Maasai Mara National Reserve