Climate change effects on natural resources availability and tourism sustainability in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, Kenya

2026-03-18T14:37:15Z

Climate change effects on natural resources availability and tourism sustainability in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, Kenya Rotich, Laban Kipkemoi; Makopondo, Prof. Richard Ogola Belle; Kiprutto, Dr. Nehemia Kiprop; Barasa, Dr. Davis Wekesa The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of natural resources on tourism sustainability in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, Kenya. The study adopted explanatory research design. The target population was 169,220 household in Narok County, 300 tourists and 18 experts. The sample size was 507 respondents comprising of 399 households, 90 tourists and 18 experts selected by simple random sampling, convenience sampling and snowball sampling respectively. Structured questionnaires collected data from the host community which was analyzed using Pearson product moment of correlation, linear and multiple regressions. Data analyses were done through quantitative techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS V.23. The processes Macro were used to test the mediation effects. Results indicated that there was a positive significant relationship between climate change and natural resources (β=0.286 and p=0.000). Moreover, climate change affects natural resources positively as there was a positive significant relationship between natural resources and tourism sustainability (β=0.393 and p<0.000). The natural resources controlling for climate change predicts 42.3% of tourism sustainability. In conclusion, natural resources mediate the relationship between climate change and tourism sustainability. Despite moderate adaptive capacity to climate change effects, the study raises urgent interventions for the tourism industry stakeholders on rainfall and temperature variations that positively contribute to influence the decline in wildlife populations and natural vegetation. Tourism operators have no choice but to adopt mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is crucial that policies aimed at strengthening climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies should African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Volume 8 (5) - (2019) ISSN: 2223-814X be enacted at the same time full implementation of the Climate Change Act of 2016. A need exists for future research to use other climate change indicators other than rainfall and temperature. Keywords: Climate change, natural resources, tourism, sustainability, Kenya Introduction Tourism depends on natural resources, such as water, coastlines, landscapes and biodiversity that influence the potential attraction of destinations as inputs for the production of tourism services and goods. This implies an input-output relationship where natural resources form part of the raw materials for the production process. Natural resources therefore are the impetus of the tourism industry especially in developing countries like Kenya. These changes affect the natural systems for example; warming of lakes and rivers due to rising temperatures, bird migration, biodiversity decline, pole ward and upward shifts in ranges in plants and animal species (IPCC, 2007). Climate change threatens the loss of some of these relevant natural resources (Gösling & Hall, 2006). What is not clearly known is whether the tourism industry will achieve its sustainability with the changes in climate that affects natural resources. Projects such as the destruction of habitats as a result of land use changes may readily interrupt the interconnections between species and can transform current communities, and display variable species motion through ecosystems, leading to many localization extinctions. Increased vulnerability of ecosystems to natural and anthropogenic disturbance could lead to reductions in species diversity when plant species can not react to climate change (Malcolm, Markham, Neilson & Garaci, 2002) hence affecting the tourism industry through reduced floral and faunal populations. This could mean reduced numbers of visitors to certain tourism destinations experiencing the climate change conditions. The UNWTO (2008) estimated that about one-fifth of all known plant species, mammal, bird, and a half of amphibian and reptile species may be affected by African emissions. The Savannah, tropical forests, marine and fresh-water marine coral reef habitats, wetlands and mountain ecosystems are among the most varied and organic ecosystems in the world. The economic foundations, particularly for the tourism industry in Kenya, are these ecosystems of worldwide significance. However, it’s not clearly known how climate change would affect these natural ecosystems in terms of their quality, abundance and distribution

Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Tourism in Kenya: A Systematic Review of Development Opportunities and Challenges

2026-03-18T14:29:49Z

Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Tourism in Kenya: A Systematic Review of Development Opportunities and Challenges Rotich, Laban Kipkemoi; Mapelu, Isabella Cheloti This paper presents a systematic review of the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and cultural tourism in Kenya, with a particular focus on the Mount Kenya region. It examines the potential of AI to enhance sustainable cultural tourism through digital heritage preservation, targeted marketing, and enriched visitor experiences. The study employs a qualitative systematic review methodology, analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, case studies, and global best practices relevant to AI applications in cultural tourism. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns, opportunities, and challenges. The findings reveal that AI holds considerable promise in addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing inclusivity, and increasing the global visibility of Kenya’s cultural heritage. Nonetheless, inadequate policy frameworks, inadequate financial investment, and widespread digital illiteracy are among the substantial challenges that have persisted. This study has made recommendations on the formulation of a vigorous policy context, investing in digital capacity building, and promoting public-private partnerships (PPTS) to realize an enabling environment for AI-integrated cultural tourism in Kenya

Memorandum of understanding between Murang’a University of Technology and Murang’a County Referral Hospital

2024-02-17T11:10:39Z

Memorandum of understanding between Murang’a University of Technology and Murang’a County Referral Hospital Murang'a University of Technology; Murang'a County Referral Hospital

University Collaborations

Climate change effects on natural resources availability and tourism sustainability in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, Kenya

Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Tourism in Kenya: A Systematic Review of Development Opportunities and Challenges

Memorandum of understanding between Murang’a University of Technology and Murang’a County Referral Hospital