Abstract:
This study explores the effect of drought on cultural tourism by
applying the case study approach using the Maasai women’s
groups surrounding Tarangire National Park (TNP) in Tanzania.
Semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect
data from 30 purposefully selected Maasai women and 30 tourists.
Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings
show that drought affects tourism both positively and negatively.
Positively, drought forges unity among individuals, and creates
the community’s external links that are crucial for tourism
development. Negatively, drought interferes with the
development and delivery of tourist products, thus destroying
their quality and service delivery. Despite the challenges tourism
faces during times of drought, including the scarcity of raw
materials for making cultural products, 50% of the respondents
would rather continue with tourism as a strategy to curb the
effect of drought than their traditional livelihoods. Theoretically,
the study shows the importance of the cultural ecology and
livelihood lenses in investigating the effects of drought on
tourism in a cultural setting. Practical recommendations for
tourism authorities and stakeholders, as well as areas for future
research, are provided.
