Types of Adventure Tourism Product and Sustainable Tourism Development in Nakuru County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5382Abstract
Tourism destinations globally are pursuing product diversification to enhance competitiveness and meet evolving traveler preferences. Adventure tourism has emerged as a significant growth sector, offering unique experiences that combine physical challenges with environmental and cultural engagement. The tourism industry in Kenya faces significant challenges in optimizing adventure tourism's contribution to sustainable development. While several studies have explored various tourism aspects, there remains a significant gap in understanding how adventure tourism products contribute to sustainable development in Nakuru County, particularly regarding types of adventure tourism products. Thus, the study examined the effect of types of adventure tourism products on sustainable tourism development. The theoretical framework was grounded in Weaver's Model and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, supported through a correlational research design. The target population comprised 507,751 individuals including adventure tourists at four key adventure sites (Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell's Gate National Park, Menengai Crater, Mt. Longonot National Park) and seven key stakeholder groups in Nakuru County. Using stratified random sampling, 400 respondents were targeted and 378 complete responses were received, achieving a 94.5% response rate. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between types of adventure tourism products and sustainable tourism development, with a correlation coefficient of r=.643 (significant at p=0.000). The regression analysis confirmed this relationship, with types of adventure tourism products (β=0.315, t=9.398, p=0.000) showing a significant positive effect on sustainable tourism development. The study recommends that adventure tourism operators should improve the structure and definition of their adventure products, with clear safety protocols and cultural sensitivity, while tourism authorities should establish comprehensive product development guidelines. Future research should explore additional variables beyond adventure tourism products and conduct comparative studies in other counties to identify region-specific versus universal factors in adventure tourism's contribution to sustainable development.
Keywords: Adventure tourism, sustainable development, Nakuru County, Kenya
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