Factors that influence tourist choice of a destination: a case study of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Abstract

This study aims at examining the factors that influence tourist choice to visit a destination and specifically by identifying the tourist attractions activities and support services, examining the pull factors as well as push factors that influence tourists choice to visit a destination. This study adopted the mixed methods case study research design with Bwindi: Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi as the destination of study. A total number of 51 respondent were involved in this study. Primary data were obtained with use of both the interview guide and, self guided questionnaires. Whereas secondary data was obtained from documents. The interview guides were subjected on key informants whereas self guided questionnaires were subjected to respondents. Conclusively this study’s findings reveal that major tourist attractions, activities and support services in Bwindi included mountain Gorillas, gorilla tracking and accommodation respectively. The study further reveals that tourist choice to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Nationa park was predominantly influenced by the availability of quality accommodation and uniqueness of tourist attractions as a pull factors as well as self esteem and excitement as the major push factors. Therefore, this study recommends that UWA habituates more gorilla to increase on the capacity of reaching its demand potential in form of tourist demand, improvement on transport infrastructure, provision of more price friendly accommodation.