Stakeholders’ perspectives on the adoption of a regionalframework for tourism development within the horn of Africa

Abstract

The tourism industry has been identified as a potential vehicle for economic development and poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, hitherto, countries have been pursuing their respective tourism development agendas with limited degree of regional integration. This study, therefore, employs a multiple case study approach to explore tourism stakeholders’ views on a regional approach to tourism development within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region. Through critical review of literature and semi-structured in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, the study establishes that a regional framework would present feasible opportunities to overcome the challenges facing the development of the sector, though fears of dominance by the relatively mature destinations are a potential obstacle to its implementation. This study concludes that such fears are unfounded and that a regional approach to tourism development in the IGAD region could enhance the competitiveness of member states and of the region as a whole.