Perceptions of Residents about Sociocultural Effects of Tourism in the Old Town Of harar
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Abeba university
Abstract
This study investigates the residents' perceptions of tourism's social
and cultural effects on the community of old town Harar. Data were
collected by means of, Survey, in depth interviews and observations
u sing social exchange theory and Doxey's Irridex. Results suggest
residents recognize many positive and negative consequences of
h eritage tourism.
The study reveals that respondents were slightly divided in their
perceptions of the effects of tourism on the host community. Those
who received economic or employment benefits from tourism generally
viewed its socio-cultural impacts positively . Conversely, others who
did not receive these benefits tend to view tourism's social costs as
serious concerns ..
Residents also blame the Regional State governmen t who, they
claimed, has n either afforded residents the opportunity for
participation in decision- ma king relating g to tourism planning and
development in the old town, nor offered the r equisite funding or skills
development support.
Analysis of tourism effects can therefore h elp government planners,
local decision-makers, tourism promoters and managers identify real
concerns and issues inorder for appropriate policies and action to be
introduced.
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Keywords
Effects of Tourism