Assessment of Tourism Associated Activities for Rural Livelihood Transformation

Abstract

Tourism associated activities can be the best option for the transformation of rural people’s livelihood, that is a shift from dependence on traditional livelihood activities such as farming, fishing, livestock keeping and others, to tourism associated ones such as direct and indirect employment in tourism enterprises.  This article discusses the extent of operation of the tourism associated livelihood activities for the communities living adjacent to national parks and constraints underpinning performance of the tourism associated activities.  The findings of the study show the activities are constrained by government policies, lack of capabilities, skills and financial capital and education to mention but a few.  The article ends up with recommendations for different stakeholders.