Perception of residents on the impacts of beach tourism: The case of Nungwi village in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the perception of residents on the impacts of beach tourism in Nungwi village, one of the most lively beach tourist spots in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Data collection was carried out between June and August 2021 from 174 residents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, T-tests and One-way ANOVA were employed. The revealed positively perceived impacts include the increase in entrepreneurial opportunities, employment, and access to basic social services. The study also identified the increase in income inequalities as well as cost of living to be the key aspects perceived negatively by the residents. The findings suggest occupation is a key differentiating factor in the association of tourism development to residents' pride in local culture, with corporate employees and entrepreneurs more likely to view positive contribution of tourism to residents' pride in local culture than farmers and fishermen. Furthermore, the study confirmed the heterogeneity of residents' perceptions regarding tourism impacts which were caused by five key variables, namely: length of residence in the area, occupation type, sex, age, and level of income. The study findings help to increase the baseline knowledge available to tourism stakeholders and insights that may be considered when developing and implementing tourism-related policies and plans. The study contributes to the residents’ perception literature in a rural developing country context.

Keywords

• Nungwi
• Zanzibar
• Residents' perception
• Tourism impacts
• Tourism development