Abstract:
The study aims to assess the stakeholders’ involvement for urban tourism development in Entoto
Natural Park. To achieve this objective, a mixed research approach with a descriptive and
explanatory research design was applied. The data was collected using primary and secondary
data sources.A purposive sampling technique was used to select key stakeholders and
interviewees whereas a simple random sampling technique was entertained to select respondents
from key stakeholders. Simple random sampling was used to select sample participants
representing the local community. Participants representing governmental, private companies,
and the media were selected non-probability using purposive sampling techniques which 339
samples were found valid and used for analysis. The instrument was checked for face and
content validity. The survey data was collected from a total of 339 respondents while 11
individuals were interviewed. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics to analyze the status
of stakeholder involvement in urban tourism development, and multiple linear regression
analysis was employed to assess the factors that hinder stakeholders’ involvement in urban
tourism development and the effect of stakeholders’ involvement on urban tourism development
using SPSS version 20. The finding revealed that the current status of stakeholder involvement
was was found to be an important contributor to urban tourism development. Moreover, the
regression analysis factor analysis result showing that planning design, financial support, and
coordination factors were found significant factors for stakeholder involvement. The qualitative
results also showed a lack of industry experts, security issues and responsibility, lack of
stakeholders` concern in cooperation, lack of awareness, absence of sufficient budget, lack of
policy, seasonality, and benefit-sharing that were identified as the main factors that affect the
stakeholders’ involvement. Additionally, urban tourism development was found to be highly
affected by induced involvement. As a result, stakeholders should be encouraged to participate in
urban tourism development and a strategic effort is needed to minimize factors that hinder
stakeholder involvement.
