ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE

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ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE

Ecotourism conference 2012Theme: Integrating Ecotourism Practices For The Modern

Traveler

Dates :20th -22nd February 2012

Venue : AMREF TRAINING CENTRE

PRESENTER : KABII FRANCIS

LECTURER ,KENYA UTALII COLLEGE

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Research Topic

Effect of Two-Way Radio Communications on game drives in Kenya: Assessment of

safari guides awareness and perception

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Introduction

Abstract

Customers achieve the highest level of satisfaction that comes with watching wildlife. Experienced safari guides with skills and knowledge on wildlife interpretation are valuable assets to tour firms.

Pressure from the customers is the main reason why safari guides will tune to any available two-way radio channel that might guide him to the areas where wildlife have been seen by other guides

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Cont.

This brings about overcrowding round the sighted animals

this creates a secondary problem of noise pollution around the wildlife being watched

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Study objectives

The paper sought to evaluate driver guides awareness and perception of the effect two- way radio on;

Wildlife Environment Customer experience.

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Research Method

Research design The study adopted exploratory design with

a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods.

The study areas was Lake Nakuru national park, Amboseli national park and Masai Mara national reserve.

These are three of the seven parks that account for over 80% of international visitors whose main interest is wildlife

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Target population

The target populations were park rangers/wardens safari guides tour managers who often use the

two-way radios.

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Sampling Method

Probability and non probability sampling method was used.

Judgmental sampling was used in selection of the study area and managers to be interviewed.

Intercept method was used in selection of the guides who were willing to complete the questionnaire

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Data collection and reliability Primary data was collected using self

administered questionnaire, FGD, observation and interview.

Secondary data was sourced from existing literature, journals and magazines and the internet.

Test re- test method, pilot test and content analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the data collection tools.

Reliability statistics gave Cronbach’s Alpha of .898 which was considered suitable.

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Sample size The sample size was drawn from a

sample frame(2009/10) that shows that Kenya has about 2000 registered driver guides.

A sample size of 322 respondents was used at 95% confidence level as guided by Saunders 2003

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Data analysis and discussion

Respondent profile A total of 300 questionnaires were

administered from which 194 were usable. Four focus group discussions were held

which comprised of 37 respondents and 6 managers interviewed totaling of 237 respondents.

This gave a respond rate of 73% which was considered representative.

93% percent of respondents were male while only 6% were female

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Analysis of data

Data analysis Data was analyzed using Statistical

Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16

Principle Component Method of data extraction was run using vorimax rotation with maximum iteration of .25

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Factor analysis Factor 1 was labled ‘Perception of two

way radio on guiding’ extracted from 13 items

Factor 2 was labled ‘Perception of two way radio on wildlife’ and was extracted form 11 items

Factor 3 was labled ‘Perception of two way radio on customer experience

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Findings Driver guides perception of

two-way radio on their

operations

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Locating wildlife

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overcrowdingDriver guides awareness

and perception of effect of two-way radio on wildlife

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Shortening stayDriver guides perception on effect of two-way radio

on customer satisfaction

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Poorly planed itinerary

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Making noise

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Conclusion and implication Kenya can no longer assume the effect two-way

radios have on the wildlife ,customers and environment.

More attention is needed in order to mitigate any negative effect the radio might have.

Most of the driver guides are aware of some effect of two way- radios on the guiding profession, the wildlife and the customers.

Most driver guides can effectively guide without the use of the radio

Tour firms prefer using tour van with the radio so that they keep in touch with the driver and monitor their movement

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cont Driver guides need to be trained on the

effect radio has to the wildlife & environment

There should be regular training on radio etiquette

Some drivers misuse the radio by using it as a socialization tool in their mother tongue

Radio are helpful incase of emergency

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Cont. Driver guides are aware that the radio

contributes to overcrowding. Most are not certain on the long term

effect of radio to the wildlife, customers and the environment.

The radio reduces the time taken to search for wildlife and play some role in customer satisfaction

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Cont.

Pressure from the office and the customers force drivers to use the radio.

Overcrowding interfering with the natural behavior of wildlife

Overcrowding affects the environment and customers satisfaction.

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what do you think?

Do you think we need policies and regulation on use of radio?

Do we need to conduct more research On overcrowding and the radio?How can we balance ecotourism and

customer experience?

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END

THANK YOU

Q & A