Planning And Sustainable Tourism Development in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ABSTRACT Sustainable tourism is about re-focusing and adapting. A balance must be found between limits and usage so that continuous changing, monitoring and planning ensure that tourism can be managed. These require thinking long-term (10, 20+ years) for the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development and involve all stakeholders including native people, local communities, visitors, industry and government. To assess tourism plans on sustainable tourism in Rwanda, with the case study of Volcanoes National Park, descriptive research method were used. The study population was 104 respondents of which RDB managers (VNP and Head quarter level), tour operators, NGOs working in Musanze district in tourism and conservation of the park and local community living around the Park. Questionnaire and documentations was used as validated instruments to collect data. The Results of the study showed that 100% of the respondents confirmed the use of a plan for daily activities implementation and monitoring. According to types of planning tools, only RDB have a long term planning when other stakeholders use annual plans. Regarding to the main component of the plans, the results of the research shows that it includes elements of the sustainable development, except at district level where there is the missing of tourism development and/or promotion in the region. Looking on the planning process, the results show that there is low link and collaboration between partners during the planning process and RDB very low level of integrating its partners views and or priorities in the plan. Thus it is recommended that Rwanda Development Board improves on the way it undertakes its planning process and make sure that the planning circle incorporates key priorities and ideas from partners for the sustainable tourism development in the region. And also to support partners and orient them for the long term planning process and ensure the viability of sustainability of tourism. It came out clear that integrated planning is essential for Small Scale Businesses (SSB) that are the engine for sustainable tourism development.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION A

DECLARATION B

APPROVAL SHEET iv

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

ABSTRACT vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS viii

LIST OF ABBREVIATION xi

Chapter Page

One: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the study 1

Statement of the problem 2

Purpose of the study 3

Research objectives 3

Research questions 4

Hypothesis 4

Scope 4

Significance of the study 5

Operational definition of keys terms 5

Two: LIUERATURE REVIEW 7

Concepts, Ideas and Opinions 21

Theoretical Perspectives 21

Related studies 21

VI I

Three: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 26

Research design 26

Research population 26

Sampling procedure 26

Research instrument 27

Validity and Reliability of the instrument 28

Data gathering procedures 28

Data analysis 29

Ethical considerations 30

Limitations of the study 30

Four: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 31

Profile of Respondents 31

Extent of Tourism planning 32

Level of Sustainable tourism 33

Relationship between Tourism and STD 36

F~ve: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 39

Findings 39

Conclusions 41

Recommendations 42

REFERENCES 45

APPENDIX 1: Transmittal letter 49

APPENDIX 2: Informed consent 50

APPENDIX 3: Research instruments 51

APPENDIX 4: Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 54