Economic impacts of tourism activities on the local communities:

Abstract

This study examined the economic impact of tourism activities on local communities, focusing on Busingiro near Budongo Forest Reserve. Key objectives included evaluating tourism’s economic contributions, assessing employment opportunities, and identifying challenges faced by the community. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, data were collected from 52 randomly selected respondents through questionnaires and interviews. Findings revealed that tourism significantly benefits the Busingiro community by creating employment, generating income through wildlife and primate-based activities, and supporting small-scale businesses through nature and cultural tourism. However, challenges such as limited skills, poor infrastructure, unequal benefit distribution, and seasonal tourism hinder full potential. The study concludes that while tourism supports economic growth, more needs to be done. It recommends infrastructure development, skills training, inclusive participation, and better marketing to maximize tourism’s role in sustainable rural development.