Abstract:
Community-based ecotourism and rural way of life are the most widely accepted social issues in
the rural development process in recent years at the global level. As a result, the research was to
examine ecotourism development and effects on rural way of life. Specifically, the research aims
to explore factors influencing ecotourism development. Subsequently, it wants to describe
ecotourism effects on rural environment and analyze the socioeconomic effects ecotourism had
on rural way of life in Wanchi District. Mixed research approach was used in order to collect
and triangulate appropriate data for the topic understudy. Methodological triangulation was
used to be confident with data accuracy, precisions and validity. The study population was 400
households. 200 study respondents have been drawn by using Yemane formula. Simple random
sampling was used to recruit the study respondents. For the qualitative data generations,
samples have been drawn based on informants’ knowledge of experience on factors influencing
ecotourism development and effects CBE has brought on rural way life. Household survey, focus
group discussion, key informant interview, in-depth interview, document analysis and field
observation were employed as methods of data collection. Instruments of data collection were
prepared and used accordingly. Quality assurance and ethics of the study got attention
thoroughly. The study found out that there are many factors influencing ecotourism
development. These are infrastructures, advertisement, community participation, social and
environmental value conservations and effective administration at the destination. The effects of
ecotourism on the lake, forests; rural settlement and rural job opportunity have shown changes.
The rural socio economic effects of CBE have been analyzed. The average income of household
shows 1220.80(in Birr) and the linear regression(Y= 352.774+644.559(X)) and correlation
(0.989) show the more foreign tourists’ visits the more the household and community income
increase. Housing, clean water and health conditions of the community have shown
improvements. However, CBE affects the community’s social values negatively. The results have
been discussed with comparison to theories and finding of the previous researches. Conclusion
on main points has been made and recommendations forwarded based on the research findings.
