Impacts of Development Process on Mawanga Cave’s Tourism Sustainability: Lessons for Future Improvement

Abstract

Irrespective of the scope, any development is meant to significantly enhance the socio-cultural, economic and environmental pursuits of any given society. Appropriate developmental approach or process delivers suitable results unlike the reverse. This study used strategic sustainable development process, to demonstrate how the elitist-top-bottom tourism development approach impacted on the socio-cultural and economic sustainability at the Mawanga cave/Abasuba rock-painting site/rock art site. Data collected through interview–based surveys, questionnaires, personal observations and analysis of existing documents, indicated that the approach failed to reinforce socio-cultural and economic sustainability aspects of tourism. The sporadic development model inappropriately addressed tourism capacity inadequacies among the Mawanga rural halieutic community; which justifies the community’s inability to diversify tourism revenue streams, tourist products, embrace innovative marketing and enhance socio-cultural sustainability. The insufficiently equipped leadership contributed considerably to the under-exploitation of the Mawanga cave environs’ umpteen opportunities. The study concludes by suggesting a strategic approach that can be adopted by the government to enhance the touristic appeal of the Homabay County.