Factors Determining Local Community Participation in Ecotourism Development: the case of Suba Forest, Special Zone of Oromia Surrounding Finfine, Oromia National Regional State
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study focused on assessment of determinant factors that affect local community
participation in ecotourism activities in Suba Forest and its environs. The study employed mixed
research approach and data were collected using questionnaire, interview, secondary data, and
field observation. The findings of the study revealed that the demographic, social, economic and
administrative factors inhibiting local community participation in the ecotourism activities in the
case of Suba Forest. Local community of the area were entirely excluded from ecotourism
developments and exhaustively depended on the forests products and by products in addition to
agriculture and they are against the prevailing top-down approach in decision making. Lack of
efforts and commitment from the forest and Wolmera Woreda Culture and Tourism Office to use
ecotourism as alternative economic sources through local community empowerments and
involvement were the main constraints. Finally the study recommends that ecotourism should
acquire priority and government has to apply participatory ecotourism development approaches
and strategies to exploit areas ecotourism development potentials to overcome the current
environmental, socio-cultural and economical challenges through active stakeholder
involvement.
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Keywords
Ecotourism, Local community participation, Determinant factors, Suba Forest