Rock climbing and its impact on tourism development in Uganda :

Abstract

The study was to examine the impact of Rock climbing on Tourism Development in Uganda with reference to Tororo municipality as a case study. The research objectives were; (i) To find out how rock climbing affects the development of accommodation in Tororo Municipality, (ii) To find out how rock climbing affect tourism attractions in Tororo Municipality (iii) To find out how rock climbing affects the development of amenities in Tororo Municipality. The research employed a cross sectional research design which was descriptive in nature basing on different scholars’ literature. Data collected was mainly from the field using questionnaires and interview guide. Data was summarized, sorted, edited and analyzed using Microsoft excel tables and the findings were presented in a report format. Purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents from the sample size of 110 and this was considered satisfactory. In relation with the researcher’s first objective, the study findings revealed that, 5 (10%) of the respondents strongly disagreed, 3(6%) disagreed, another proportion of the respondents 17 (34%) agreed and 25 majority of the respondents 25 (50%) strongly agreed with the statement that Rock climbing tourism has led to the development of accommodation facilities in Tororo Municipality. The second objective intended to find out whether Rock climbing has stimulated infrastructure (roads) development in Tororo Municipality. The study findings revealed that 02 (4%) of the respondents strongly disagreed with the statement, 02 (4%) of the respondents disagreed, 06 (12%) of the respondents were not sure, 10 (20%) agreed and majority of the respondents 30 (30%) were in agreement that Rock climbing has stimulated infrastructure (roads) development in Tororo Municipality. Findings on the third objective indicated that majority 37 (60%) of the respondents agreed that infrastructural facilities are attractive pillars for the development of tourism. However, 02 (4%) were not sure while 11 (22%) were in disagreement that Infrastructural facilities are attractive pillars for the development of tourism. The research recommends that the best way to increase rock climbers’ economic impact is to increase access to rock climbing walls. Over time, the number of climbing areas and climbing routes in Tororo Municipality has increased steadily, and non-scientific observations imply that the population has similarly increased in size.