The Role of Local Government Authorities in Facilitating Land Access for Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises Growth in Tanzania

Sanga D A ,Tonya E M ,Chachage B L C

doi:10.7176/jaas/67-04

Abstract

The sustainable development of tourism destinations relies much on Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises found within Local Government Authorities (LGAs). However, tourism destinations have recently being experiencing an increase of population and social economic activities. This situation creates more demand of the land among stakeholders in particular tourism business. Contrary to lager tourism companies Small and Medium Enterprises(SMTEs) has found to be in a less advantageous position in acquiring land from destination which impairing their growth. Thus, land at the destinations is often regarded as one of the constraints for tourism development. The purpose of this study therefore was to examine the role of Local Government authorities in facilitating land management in tourism destinations particularly considering the effects upon the SMTEs growth. The study was guided by stakeholders’ theory. Using census survey design 232 questionnaires were collected from SMTEs owners/managers at Mto wa Mbu ward in Monduli District. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between the dependent variable, SMTEs growth and five independent variables. The results strongly confirm the put forward hypothesis “Local government Authorities role in facilitating management of land interests has statistically positive influence on SMTEs growth”, Moreover, five independent variables: land committee, by- law, land allocation, land law and Land policy have statistically significant impact on the growth of small business. Therefore, the theoretical and practical implications of this study refer to stressing the need and important role of LGA’s in managing stakeholders land interests for local tourism that can stimulate the growth of small business within the destination. The study recommends empowerment of Local government Authorities in terms of legal framework to be part in the management regime of local tourism for sustainable development. Keywords: Tourism, SMTEs growth, land policy, Land allocation DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/67-04 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Highlights

Tourism is arguably the world’s largest and fastest growing industry (UNWTO, 2017)
The results showed that overall 47% of respondents were on opinion that the role of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in managing stakeholders land interest has contribution towards the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMTEs)
5.0 Conclusion The objective of the study was to examine the implication of the role of LGA in managing tourism stakeholders’ land interest on the SMTEs growth

Summary

Introduction

Tourism is arguably the world’s largest and fastest growing industry (UNWTO, 2017). The sector accounts for about 17% of the world’s Gross National Product and 9% of the employment (WEF, 2018; CWTTC, 2017). In Tanzania, tourism accounts for 3.8% of the GDP and generates nearly 30% of the country’s total export earnings (NBS, 2017). The sector in Tanzania, employs directly around 600,000 (4.3%) people through small and medium enterprises (SMTEs) where some of them are related to large tourist enterprises and up to two million people indirectly (WTTC, 2017). Like any other economic sector, tourism practices involve large companies and Small and Medium Enterprises in various destinations. Understanding how SMTEs operates, challenges and success is the critical to maintain the quality of a destinations and tourism development

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion