Theoretical Perspectives on Sustainable Cultural Tourism: Insights from The Mount Kenya Region
Date
2025-11Author
Rajwais, Bernard
Rotich, Laban Kipkemoi
Mapelu, Isabella
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This theoretical review explores how six foundational theories, Stakeholder Theory, Resource-Based View
(RBV), Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Institutional Theory, Systems Theory, and the Unified Theory of Acceptance
and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), can be integrated to guide the development of sustainable cultural tourism
in the Mount Kenya region. The paper critically analyzes how these theories illuminate the relationships among
cultural tourism opportunities, development, challenges, AI adoption, and socio-economic outcomes. By
applying a multi-theory approach, the review demonstrates how strategic resource utilization, inclusive
stakeholder engagement, supportive institutions, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)
can collectively enhance community-based tourism and cultural heritage preservation. The study presents an
integrated conceptual model linking independent, mediating, and dependent variables, offering a coherent
theoretical foundation for empirical inquiry and policy design. Findings suggest that theory-driven, AI-enabled
cultural tourism can promote equitable development, digital inclusion, and long-term sustainability in heritagerich
regions like Mount Kenya. The review concludes by highlighting the implications for research, practice,
and policy, particularly in designing culturally sensitive, technology-driven tourism interventions.
URI
https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000091http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6802
Collections
- Journal Articles (THM) [128]
