Contribution of Local Governments in Conservation and Preservation of Tourism Destinations in Rwanda: Case of Volcanoes National Park, Musanze District, Rwanda
Dr. Emmy Tushabe & Dr. Kabera Callixte – University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda
Email: tushabemmy@gmail.com
Received June 19, 2020; Revised July 3, 2020; Accepted July 7, 2020
Abstract: This study sought to examine the contribution of Local Governments in Conservation and Preservation of Tourism Destination in Rwanda. It adopted mixed research design of quantitative and qualitative techniques. The study used a sample size of 97 respondents mainly from District authorities and local communities. Focus discussion groups, Interviews and questionnaires were the data collecting tools the study used to collect information from respondents. The study found out that Local Government contributes a lot to the Conservation and Preservation of Tourism Destination through community conservation enforcement, Institutional structure for conservation, establishment of active partners in conservation mechanism and adopting a holistic approach to tourism destination planning. However, conservation and preservation experience some challenges such as Inadequacy of financial resource, illegal use of forest resources, overpopulation and over-exploitation of resources and inability to utilize modern government techniques of participation. Among the strategies aired out by respondents were to increase revenues shared by tourists, adopt measures in line with appropriate use of resources and fight against illegal use of forest resources. The study concludes that Local governments have played a very vital role in conservation and preservation of tourism development. The study recommends that local governments should establish appropriate measures to the use of resources, there must be wider participation of institutions in tourism destination conservation activities and that revenue from tourism activities should be shared among communities around tourism destination for the sake of conservation.
