Tourism And Sociocultural Developments Case Study In The: Maasai Community,-Oletukat Location Narok North Consitituency

ABSTRACT

Tourism development creates social and cultural channels. instead of tourism assisting to ameliorate sociocultural problems confronting a community, it has become part of the process of distorting their social, cultural and historical values. Due to tourism, elements of a community’s culture are changed to appeal more directly to tourists or they may be readily consumed by

tourists. Indigenous culture of a community is inaccurately glorified and embellished in order to increase its attractiveness to tourists. In spite of the many negative sociocultural effects associated with its development, tourism has also helped to recognize and promote the distinctive culture of a community, and has led to the conservation and revitalization of traditional arts, handicrafts, dance, music, drama, customs and ceremonies, dress, and certain aspects of traditional lifestyles.

The study employed a descriptive research design. With Oletukat location representing the population under investigation, the sample population comprised local residents, community leaders, tourists, park rangers and tour guides. The sample size that participated in the study was forty (40) respondents with potential respondents being restricted to those of eighteen years of age or older.

A self administered questionnaire was developed consisting of matrix and open-ended questions

and was divided into two major sections; respondents degree of agreement with statements describing tourism’s sociocultural effects, and questions requiring respondents views. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution table.

The findings revealed respondents agreeing that tourism development had both positive and negative sociocultural effects on the community. Tourism development led to renewal of cultural pride, conservation of culture, cross cultural exchange and international understanding. The most perceived negative sociocultural effects of tourism development were trivialization of native art,

social dualism, conflicting activities, staged authenticity, cultural distortions and demonstration efficient. This study therefore recommends that, tourism planners should give considerable emphasis to the sociocultural effects of tourism development. The government in consultations

with the community members and other stakeholders in the tourism sector should prepare a sociocultural policy in order to mitigate the negative effects and promote the positive sociocultural effects of tourism. The locals should also be sensitized about tourism and the problems associated with its development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration

Approval ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of contents v

List of tables viii

List of figures viii

Abstract ix

List of abbreviations and acronyms x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1 .1. Statement of the problem 3

1.2. Purpose of the study 3

1.3. Research objectives 3

1.4. Scope of the study 4

1.5. Significance of the study 4

1.6 Conceptual framework 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1 Introductiorr 6

2.2 Forms of tourism 7

2 .3 Tourism attractions and activities 7

2.3.1. Natural attractions 8

2.3.2.Cultural attractions: 9

2.3.3. Special types of attractions 10

2.3.4.Tourist facilities and services as attractions 12

2.4.Stages of tourism development 13

2.5. The nature of sociocultural impacts 14

V

2.6. Sociocultural impacts of tourism.16

2.6.1. Negative sociocultural impacts~ 18

2.6.2. Positive sociocultural impacts~ 24

2.7. Sociocultural impact control measures 26

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 30

3.1. Research designS 30

3.2. Sample populatiow 30

3.3 Research instrument or too1~ 30

3.3.1. Questionnaire 30

3.2. Type of questionnaire~ 30

3.3.3. Types of questions~ 31

3.3.4 The Letter of Transmitta1~ 31

3.4. Data analysis techniques~ 31

CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION 32

4.1 Introduction~ 32

4.2 Types of Tourist’s Attractions and Activities in the Community 32

4.2.1. Tourist Attractions~ 32

4.2.1.1 Maasai Mara National Reserve 32

4.2.1.2 Maasaidressingsty1e~ 34

4.2.1.3 Maasai villages and manyatta 35

4.2.1.4The great migratioiv 35

4.2.1.5 The Maasai co-existence with wildlife 36

4.2.1 .6 Maasai’s hospitality nature~ 36

4.2.1.7 Floraandfauna 36

4.2.1.8 Maasai’s nomadic style of living 38

4.2.1.9 Maasai villages and manyata 38

4.2.1.10 Maasai’s unique cu1ture~ 38

4.2.2 Tourist activities 39

4.2.2.1 Game drives 39