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Abstract:
This paper investigates the effectiveness of the community driven programs on local based tourism development in the Amboseli ecosystem, Kajiado County. Burgeoning literature have underscored the global importance of tourism; for example, it has been rated as the second most important industry after petroleum commodities. In that regard, local communities have realized the importance of tourism, and they stepping up their involvement in local tourism; thus local tourism has gained popularity in highest measure. There is no doubt that community tourism has been widely acknowledged worldwide as fundamental for the stimulation of economic progression and generation of foreign exchange. Community Based Tourism thus involves tourism owned and/or managed by communities and intended to deliver wider community benefit. The objective of the study is the ref or to examine the success efficient levels of existing community driven programs on the expansion of local based tourism in Amboseli ecosystem. The research method employed was descriptive method which assisted the researcher to capture the experiences and practices of the indigenous communities living within Amboseli ecosystem; while using mixed research methodology with investigations being carried out on if the community members in Olgulului Group ranch carried out community based tourism effectively. The study further used the survey research design with mixed research methods being implemented. Systematic sampling method was utilized to select the sample from the population with a target of 380 members of the community to be sampled and a return rate of 328 respondents. The study thus investigated community empowerment, sense of community ownership and the decision making process as part of the independent variable that if handled effectively would ensure sustainable community based tourism. The hypothesis was measured in the quantitative findings in the conclusion which indicated after model fitting, predictor variable (effectiveness) to some extent has an association to enhanced local based tourism with the null hypothesis being rejected and the alternative hypothesis adopted which stated that there is an association between efficient community driven programs and CBT advancement. The study concluded that the locals should concentration on the value chain system to ensure effectiveness of community initiatives on the growth of CBT; with the community cross-examining from product generation and ensuring value is delivered to the visitors since they deal with not just domestic but also international visitors to the national park.
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