The impacts of community-based tourism on local livelihoods in communities adjacent to national Parks in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

This study assessed the impacts of community-based tourism (CBT) on local livelihoods and identified key challenges to effective CBT implementation in northern Tanzania. A total of 384 household respondents from villages adjacent to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks were surveyed using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and logistic regression in SPSS version 26. About 56% (<i>n</i> = 215) of respondents were engaged in CBT-related activities, with 81% (<i>n</i> = 174) earning between 100,000 and 500,000 Tanzanian Shillings monthly. About 48% of respondents reported improvements in livelihoods due to CBT. Diversity of CBT activities (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), type of employment (<i>p</i> = 0.013), and increased household income (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were statistically significant predictors of participation in CBT. However, limited community capacity and tourism management skills, poor marketing and infrastructure, weak institutional governance, and regulatory gaps revealed to threaten effective CBT implementation. The study concludes that CBT holds substantial promise as an economic developmental strategy when properly planned, considering the interests of all stakeholders involved, implemented, and monitored continuously. To enhance equity and sustainability in community-based tourism (CBT), the study recommends targeted capacity building for women and youth, inclusive governance structures, equitable benefit-sharing policies, and global promotion of women- and youth-led initiatives through digital platforms and cooperative models. Additionally, the study recommends the development of clear, community-led mechanisms for the equitable distribution of tourism revenues to ensure fair benefit-sharing across all segments of the local population.