Contribution of Hospitality Establishments to Community Livelihoods in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of hospitality establishments to community livelihoods in Elgeyo Marakwet County (EMC) in Kenya. It investigated the impacts of hospitality establishments on the community capitals/assets: human, social, physical, natural, and financial. Since there are few studies conducted in this area in Kenya, this study intends to fill this gap.  This study mainly employed a qualitative research design, with data being collected through a mixed-method approach involving participant observation, 2 focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews with 7 key informants consisting of hospitality establishment owners, managers, and community leaders, directly and indirectly, involved in tourism. Secondary data were also collected from government documents, journals, previous research, and archival records. The findings indicate that at the time of this study hospitality establishments contributed positively to the capitals/assets: social, natural, human, physical, and financial of the community of EMC, Kenya. The community livelihoods improved because of the availability of job opportunities, provision of employment for youth and women, empowerment of women groups, and small businesses dealing in fruits, vegetables, art, crafts, and entertainment. The local people took pride in the establishments and the natural environment around the hospitality establishments because of their well-maintained lawns, nature trails, and properties. The study concludes that hospitality establishments may contribute more towards an improvement of the host community assets/capitals in EMC, Kenya. However, tourism market research is required to establish the market segment for the region, community training for tourism awareness, and tourism training to meet tourist requirements concerning accommodation, customer care, food services, and destination management.