The need for physical planning intervention at Kitagata hot springs and immediate surrounding areas as a tourism destination: Sheema district

Abstract

The content in this document involves research on how physical planning can help improve tourism, and a case in point is Kitagata hot springs in Sheema District, which attracts a great number of people. The main objective of the research is to identify ways in which physical planning can facilitate streamlining of the activities taking place at the site and immediate surroundings and improve facilities to boost the tourism potential. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed in conducting this researchto find out the required data. This is backed up by different formats of acquiring the information including one on one interviews, observation and group discussions among others. Findings reveal that a great number of people who visit Kitagata hot springs are adults from the age of forty-six onwards mainly for healing purposes. There is mainly domestic tourism at the hot springs considering that a great number of the visitors are Ugandans, especially from the neighbouring districts to Sheema such as Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Rukungiri and Kabale. The main challenges faced at the hot springs according to the findings include; inadequate facilities, poor hygiene, inaccessibility and insecurity. These have paused great challenges to the site and its visitors in terms of health, safety and the general impression the site gives to the tourists among others. As a result, the researcher’s recommendations and conclusions are mostly geared towards tackling these challenges for example improving the facilities, safety and accessibility at the site.