Assessment of Socio-Economic Impacts of Tourist Gateways. A Case Study of Kayabwe Equator, Mpigi District, Uganda

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tourist gateways are among the unique attractions points where tourists can stop and engage in different activities in the in order to enhance their experience while on a trip or at a vacation. Tourist gateways allows for a greater contact with the local community and for the tourists to fill a new sensation while enabling the economic and socio development of the geographical area. The study was conducted to identify the products and services offered at Kayabwe tourist gateway, to examine the socio-economic impacts residents get from Kayabwe tourist gateway and to examine the challenges faced in the promotion of Kayabwe tourist gateway as the major tourist gateway in Uganda. The study was conducted using a case study design and data was collected using documentaries, observations and interview methods. A total of thirty five respondents were interviewed. Data was analyzed using SPSS. It was found that there are a number of products and services offered for sale to tourists such as crafts, agricultural products, guiding services, accommodation and restaurants among other products. These products are offered by the local residents in the area to tourists with different unique features. The results also show that the local community gets socio economic impacts in form of security, job opportunities, banks, development of new businesses, markets for goods and services among other benefits. The study has established that there are issues which need to be addressed by the central government to increase involvement and support of the local people in the promotion of Kayabwe tourist gateway basing on the challenges such as price fluctuation, expensiveness of the area, lack of enough funds, and accidents among other challenges. All these are things that the government needs to deal with in order to promote Kayabwe Equator a