Tourism Development In Zambia: The case of Kafue National park

Abstract

The research problem in this study was that despite being the oldest, largest with highest diversities of wildlife and the most conveniently located park in the country, the Kafue National park remains fourth in revenue generation to the smaller parks of South Luangwa, Mosi-oa-Tunya and Lower Zambezi. The main objective of the study was to establish the factors that have limited tourism development in the Kafue National Park. A number of methods and procedures were used in the study to achieve the objective. Firstly, a case study design focussing on Kafue National Park was employed. Two sampling design methods used were purposive and ratified random sampling. The sample size was 75 composing 25 tour operators, 35 tourists and 15 ZAWA general employees (KNP revenue officers). The study also involved 19 key informants drawn from ZAWA management, local administrators, political and traditional leaders. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used in the study. Secondary and data from key informants was analysed manually using context analysis and statistical package for social sciences (SPPSS) was used to analyse the structured questionnaires for the 75 respondents.The findings of the study indicated park management constraints of poor infrastructure which included insufficiently developed and maintained roads, airfields, staff accommodation and office structures, low quality and quantity of lodging facilities as having negatively affected tourism development in Kafue National Park. There were also inadequate tourist attractions, services or products coupled with low staffing levels and skills with poor employment conditions. Others were increased incidences and reports of poaching activities, inadequate publicity and non participation of local communities in tourism consumption and management. The study concluded that the park management constraints identified stifled tourism development and revenue generation in Kafue National Park and that there should be improvements in the management and resource provisions to uplift the park for economic development at both local and national levels.