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Sports tourism and perceived socio-economic impact in Kenya: the case of Machakos county

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph Muiruri Njoroge

    (School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Murang’a University of Technology, Murang’a, Kenya)

  • Lucy Atieno

    (Researcher Institute for Progressive Policy Research and Consultancy, Thika, Kenya)

  • Daniele Vieira Do Nascimento

    (Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Purpose – Smaller events have been favoured by many commentators in sports research because mega events have been criticised for failing to have an aggregate positive advantage to local communities, especially in developing countries. On 4th August 2010 Kenya promulgated a new constitution which paved the way for a federal system of government. After three years into this new system of governance, most county governments have embarked on developing sports facilities and promoting sporting events in their respective counties. Machakos County is viewed as a model county that has invested remarkably in sports and recreation facilities which have attracted major sporting activities to this new sports destination. This research intends to evaluate the role of devolution in promoting sports tourism in Kenya and how sports tourism has contributed to social economic development in the region. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was undertaken with a case study of Machakos County. Both secondary and primary data were collected and analysed. Follow up interviews and focused groups were also included as rich data sources in exploring the host community’s perception on social impacts related to sports tourism development in Machakos. Findings – Sports tourism has both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts include: Infrastructure and Urban development; economic benefits; community consolidation; Social-cultural exchange; Community visibility and image enhancement; Knowledge and entertainment. Negative impacts include: Economic costs; Traffic problems; Security risks; Environmental concerns and Social conflicts. This case also highlights the role of devolution in sports tourism development and how it has helped cushioning Kenya’s tourism sector from declining international tourist arrivals. Challenges of sports tourism development and event management are discussed. A number of recommendations are made.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Muiruri Njoroge & Lucy Atieno & Daniele Vieira Do Nascimento, 2017. "Sports tourism and perceived socio-economic impact in Kenya: the case of Machakos county," Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 23(2), pages 195-217, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:tho:journl:v:23:y:2017:n:2:p:195-217
    DOI: 10.20867/thm.23.2.9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pius Odunga & Henk Folmer, 2004. "Profiling Tourists for Balanced Utilization of Tourism-Based Resources in Kenya," Working Papers 2004.23, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    2. Woosoon Kim & Matthew Walker, 2012. "Measuring the social impacts associated with Super Bowl XLIII: Preliminary development of a psychic income scale," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 91-108, January.
    3. Kim, Woosoon & Walker, Matthew, 2012. "Measuring the social impacts associated with Super Bowl XLIII: Preliminary development of a psychic income scale," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 91-108.
    4. Kim, Wonyoung & Jun, Ho Mun & Walker, Matthew & Drane, Dan, 2015. "Evaluating the perceived social impacts of hosting large-scale sport tourism events: Scale development and validation," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 21-32.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marko Perić, 2018. "Estimating the Perceived Socio-Economic Impacts of Hosting Large-Scale Sport Tourism Events," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-18, September.
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    3. Valentin Herbold & Hannes Thees & Julian Philipp, 2020. "The Host Community and Its Role in Sports Tourism—Exploring an Emerging Research Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-26, December.
    4. Marko Perić & Vanja Vitezić, 2019. "Socio-Economic Impacts of Event Failure: The Case of a Cancelled International Cycling Race," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Joanna Poczta & Agata Dąbrowska & Marek Kazimierczak & François Gravelle & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko, 2020. "Overtourism and Medium Scale Sporting Events Organisations—the Perception of Negative Externalities by Host Residents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-24, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sports Tourism; Impacts; Devolution; Diversification; Domestic Tourism; Kenya;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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