Effects of Entrepreneurial Motivation in Tourism Environment on Entrepreneurship Development in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve in Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Tourism sector has remained a critical driver of economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa. In Kenya tourism is also an under exploited sector with considerable potential for expansion, particularly given the high labour absorption capacity of small businesses. Tourism businesses therefore have been identified as essential actors for creating jobs and generally growing the economy. However this sector erratically fluctuated widely with a decline trend. This study therefore investigated the effect of entrepreneurial motivation  in Tourism Environment on entrepreneurship development in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve in Narok County, Kenya. To achieve the objective of this study adopted explanatory and descriptive survey design. A sample size of 169 respondents was derived from a target population of 300 businesses in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve. The unit of observation was different sector of businesses. The sectors identified were travel and transport, catering and accommodation, tourism promotion and information and curio and souvenirs. This study used primary data. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered using the drop-and-pick later method. The response rate in this study was approximately ninety seven percent which was considered sufficient for making inferences and drawing conclusions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations while inferential statistics involved simple regression analysis. Results from quantitative data analysis were presented using figures and tables. Qualitative data was analyzed on the basis of common themes and presented in narrative form. The findings of the study established that entrepreneurial motivation in tourism environment positively influence entrepreneurship development. Moreover, entrepreneurial motivation was found to be statistically significant on entrepreneurship development. The insights deriving from this study can be used to enhance utilization of entrepreneurial motivation in entrepreneurship development and utilization of self-desires of independence and personal fulfillment in attracting communities to entrepreneurial activities as well derivation of business development from ethnic and social belonging.

Key Words: Entrepreneurial Motivation, Tourism Environment and Entrepreneurship Development