Multiplier effects of tourism in selected areas of Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract

Developing countries embark in tourism development mainly because of its socio-economic benefits. It is generally rare for developing countries to develop tourism purposely for leisure without eyeing the hard cash generated from it and/or its associated activities. The multiplier effects occur when tourism generates income with a guaranteed expansion and development of new economic sectors especially those linked to tourism. This qualitative study was conducted in Longido, Mkuru, Ng’iresi and the Eduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA) all found in Arusha, so asto understand the “multiplier effects” of tourism in those areas.Exponential discriminative snowball sampling was used to get a sample of seventeen (17) respondents who evaluated the multiplier effects of tourism. It was found that the “multiplier effects” were felt where local communities directly and indirectly benefited from tourism activities. However, the multiplier effects would be felt more if there was a good pool of skilled human resources and well established and strong linkages between tourism and other sectors of the economy in the area.It is recommended that policies be put in place to develop human capital in tourism and other related sectors capable of dealing with contemporary issues in tourism so that the sector can yield more benefits to the communities and establish clear supply chains within and beyond in area