Tourism-driven livelihood dynamics: A comprehensive empirical study of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities in Tanzania

A comprehensive empirical study of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities reveals that tourism significantly influences local livelihoods, with socioeconomic factors such as sex, age, household size, and access to credit playing pivotal roles. The research highlights that specific tourism activities like accommodation services, handcrafts, catering, and tour guiding have varying impacts on household food security, income, and access to social services. Challenges such as education levels, information gaps, service quality, cultural barriers, financial costs, government policies, competition, resource monopolization, corruption, and infrastructure deficiencies hinder community participation in tourism activities. The study recommends investments in skill development, infrastructure, cultural preservation, financial inclusion, regulatory frameworks, and community awareness programs to foster sustainable geotourism and uplift local livelihoods. Policymakers are urged to implement these strategies to promote the well-being of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities.

Kitole, F. A., & Sesabo, J. K. (2024). Tourism-driven livelihood dynamics: A comprehensive empirical study of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park communities in Tanzania. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 12(3), 416–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2024.07.001