The Challenges of Tourism Development in Poverty Alleviation in Zanzibar:A case study of Kiwengwa village

This study was carried out in Kiwengwa Zanzibar. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges of tourism development in poverty alleviation in Zanzibar. The case study of Kiwengwa village, to assess local community’s opinion regarding tourism as a means of poverty alleviation, to assess level of the community participation in tourism development in Kiwengwa village. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview. For quantitative data analysis was made using SPSS version 21.Qualitative data from the interview was coded and arranged according to their themes as they emerge which formed the basis for discussion. A sample size of 60 respondents was given questionnaires to fill and 5 were interviewed. Secondary data was collected through published and unpublished sources. The findings of the study reveal that there are negative attitudes towards tourism development in poverty reduction. The local residents in reality are not in agreement that tourism might promote community development and alleviate poverty in their respective areas. The result of this study also found that there are a number of barriers which hinders community participation in tourism development. Such barriers, include, lack of financial resources, poor involvement in decision making, lack of empowerment of local communities in the management Also the findings of the study reveal that Poor understanding and low level of awareness of tourism concept, foreign domination in the tourism industry, unequal distribution of financial resources and lack of involvement of financial institutions,limiting tourism development towards poverty reduction