Community-Based Ecotourism Development and Effects on Rural Way of Life: The Case of Wanchi Crater Lake in Wanchi District of Southwest Shewa, Oromiya

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.