Abstract:
The local community is one of the most important stakeholders in tourism development. Local
people could participate in tourism through policy and planning process; benefits sharing or owning
community projects. However, in most instances, private benefit of conservation to individuals,
households and even entire community are not made clear or may be non-existent. This research
examines the level of participation by communities around Saiwa Swamp National Park, created
primarily for the protection of the rare Sitatunga antelope in Rift valley Kenya. Chi-square test,
ANOVA, t-tests and correlations were performed in order to investigate, if there is a direct
relationship between residents' participation variables and support for tourism. In general, there is
a direct relationship between involvement in decision-making and support of tourism.
