The Social Economic Effects Of Tourism Development To The People Since The End Of The 1994 Genocide In Rwanda, Case Study Of Musanze District.

ABSTRACT

The study examined the social economic effects of tourism development to the people since be

end of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Objectives that guided the study included; to examine the

benefits of tourism to the people in Musanze district since 1994, to examine the challenges to

tourism development in people in Musanze district since the end of the 1994 genocide and to

establish strategies through which the social economic life of the people in Musanze district may

be improved through Tourism.

The study was both descriptive and analytical in nature where it based on primary and secondary

data to establish the magnitude of the study. Primary data based on quantitative and qualitative

data designs. Qualitative data designs included; interviews, observation and Focus Group

Discussions. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires. Documentary analysis was

the basis upon which secondary data were gathered. A total of 60 respondents were employed and

answered the research questions where purposive sampling was used in selecting the respondents.

The study found out that, the major benefits from tourism were; increased tourism receipts,

institutional development, infrastructural development, international exposure, employment,

renewal of cultural pride, environmental conservation, and improved security. The major

challenges were; inadequate capital, low levels of education, inadequate facilities, inadequate

labour, threat from poachers and wild animals, inadequate exposure, limited tourist attractions,

population increase, demonstration effect and limited access to natural resources. Strategies of the

social economic life may be improved were suggested as; injecting more capital, creating other

forms of employment, training more manpower, designing appropriate policies, sensitizing people,

more advertising, seeking international funding, importing more wild animals and enhancing family planning.