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The extent of community involvement in tourism development and conservation activities in Eastern Rwanda
Author(s)
Nsabimana, Emmanuel
Date Issued
2010
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
This study investigated the extent of local community involvement in tourism development
and conservation activities in eastern Rwanda by using Akagera National Park as a case
study. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data from local residents, while
face-to-face interviews were conducted with key informants from Rwanda National Tourism
and Conservation Agency and local government officials as means to obtain deeper insights.
Tosun (2000:626) contends that community involvement in tourism can be considered from at
least two viewpoints, namely the decision-making process that would involve community
participation and the benefits of tourism development such as employment and business
opportunities. Results of this research suggest that community participation in Akagera
National Park has been recognised by Rwanda National Tourism and Conservation Agency
and the government of Rwanda only in the sense of helping local people to obtain economic
benefits via employing them as workers within industry [though, still at a low rate], whilst
encouraging them to operate small scale businesses such as curio shops, rather than create
opportunities for them to have a say in the process of decision making of tourism
management and conservation policies.
Although Rwanda has opted for a decentralised system in its rural development plans, it is
evident that it has failed to do so in the areas of tourism and conservation - at least in
Akagera National Park. The researcher believes that in the light of the research results, the
decision making system for Akagera National Park tourism and conservation development
plans is still highly centralised, which, conversely, work against participatory development
approach. The study recommends that local communities in the Akagera area should be
consulted and involved in development programmes within their villages from the start, as this
process will present a significant step towards ensuring more adequate participation in
conservation and tourism. Finally, the researcher recommends that further studies should be
conducted to engage in evaluation of impacts and successes of governmental policy of 5%
revenue sharing, which should be implemented in communities around Akagera National
Park.
and conservation activities in eastern Rwanda by using Akagera National Park as a case
study. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data from local residents, while
face-to-face interviews were conducted with key informants from Rwanda National Tourism
and Conservation Agency and local government officials as means to obtain deeper insights.
Tosun (2000:626) contends that community involvement in tourism can be considered from at
least two viewpoints, namely the decision-making process that would involve community
participation and the benefits of tourism development such as employment and business
opportunities. Results of this research suggest that community participation in Akagera
National Park has been recognised by Rwanda National Tourism and Conservation Agency
and the government of Rwanda only in the sense of helping local people to obtain economic
benefits via employing them as workers within industry [though, still at a low rate], whilst
encouraging them to operate small scale businesses such as curio shops, rather than create
opportunities for them to have a say in the process of decision making of tourism
management and conservation policies.
Although Rwanda has opted for a decentralised system in its rural development plans, it is
evident that it has failed to do so in the areas of tourism and conservation - at least in
Akagera National Park. The researcher believes that in the light of the research results, the
decision making system for Akagera National Park tourism and conservation development
plans is still highly centralised, which, conversely, work against participatory development
approach. The study recommends that local communities in the Akagera area should be
consulted and involved in development programmes within their villages from the start, as this
process will present a significant step towards ensuring more adequate participation in
conservation and tourism. Finally, the researcher recommends that further studies should be
conducted to engage in evaluation of impacts and successes of governmental policy of 5%
revenue sharing, which should be implemented in communities around Akagera National
Park.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010
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