EFFECT OF COVID119 ON TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN TANZANIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic is one of the global disasters that has affected people and businesses. One of the sectors that has been affected is tourism. Considerable amount of work has been done on global impact of covid-19 on tourisms industry and in tourism attractions in particular. Despite the abundance of publications on the matter, studies on the link between Covid-19 and tourism attractions specific Arusha national park in Arusha region has not been conducted. The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate the effect of this global pandemic on tourism attractions in Tanzania. A researcher selected Arusha national park in Arusha region to be the case study of the research. The objectives of the study was to explore the status of tourism attractions in Arusha national park before Covid-19, to identify the effects of covid-19 pandemic in Arusha national park and lastly was to find out the measures taken by the government of Tanzania to address the effect of Covid-19 on tourism attractions in Arusha national park. This study used a sample size of 50 respondents. Purposive sampling was employed in selection of respondents that provided information for the study. The researcher adopted a qualitative approach, involved the use of interviews to collect primary data and journal publications, government official documents, health authority's data and internet materials to collect secondary data. Data was collected from the employees working in tourism section at Arusha national park, the management at Arusha national park and tour operators doing business at Arusha national park. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Study findings unveil that Covid-19 pandemic has brought negative effects on tourism attractions in Arusha national park. The majority of the respondents indicated that, the number of visitors was high, and the business was performing well before the pandemic. The respondents proposed for government stimulus and reduced taxes in order to increase the competitiveness of Tanzania as tourist destination and bring relieftomtoakuer operators during the recovery period. The results obtained will help the government to appropriate decisions in providing the required measures and support to the tourism attractions in the country and finding out the damages that have been caused by the pandemic and proposing alternative ways to recovery.