Abstract:
The study was carried out with the purpose of determining the effect of community attitudes on ecotourism development in mount Elgon national park. The objects for the study were: to determine the effect of community perception on ecotourism development, determine the effect of community behaviour on ecotourism development, and to determine the effect of cultural diversification on ecotourism development. The research applied both qualitative and quantitative technique in designing the research. A total of 30 respondents participated in the study and were selected using random sampling method. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews and presented using tables, graphs, and pie charts for easy analysis. The research finding revealed that community perception has led to protection of local host resources, leads to active support from the locals, leads to provision of fundamental information to tourists which helps them to promote sustainability. The study also highlighted some of the negative and positive effects of community behaviour on ecotourism development in mount Elgon national park which includes; helps reduce human wildlife conflicts, allows information gathering by researchers, leads to government support to communities but also leads to environmental pollution. The research finding also revealed that cultural diversification has led to abandonment of ecotourism and focus on traditional enterprises, and also leads to diminishing of local cultures that tourists come to see due to the influence of western culture. It was however recommended that the organization should put more emphasis on ensuring that it engages the community through community chat and talk, public relation campaigns in order to create awareness to the community on the importance of ecotourism.
