Stakeholders’ Involvement in Tourism Development for Poverty Alleviation: The Case of Suba Forest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite divergent involvement of stakeholders in development of tourism, tourism has been seen as a fresh and risk of free profitable business. Additionally, the stakeholder involvement contributes excessively to the development of the tourism industry. But, a lack of understanding various involvements of the stakeholders in development of tourism is hindering the sectors development. So, this study assessed stakeholders’ involvement in development of tourism for poverty alleviation, in the case of Suba forest, Oromia, Ethiopia. A qualitative with descriptive research design was employed to conduct this study. The population of the study was local community representatives (eight local community leaders) and government sectors (three Oromia forest and wildlife enterprise employees, one Walmara district land administration employee, two Walmara district culture and tourism office employees, two Walmara district administration employees, and two media employees). Purposive with snowball sampling technique was used and primary (interview) as well as secondary (documents) data sources were castoff. Collected information was analyzed qualitatively via thematic analysis. The finding of the study reveals that; Lists of government sectors are involved in tourism development via cultural studying, marketing and allocating resources, and offering capacity building training while, the local communities are involved through providing lodging as well as services for tourists and working as an employee in tourism related offices. Besides, factors that influence stakeholders’ involvement were; lack of awareness, lack of trust, political issues, and lack of infrastructural service & facilities. Accordingly, the researcher recommended that, concerned bodies should focus on; the ways that make local communities get involved in and benefit from tourism development, and also shou ld solve problems that make stakeholders not to involve in the tourism development of the study area.