ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE
Ecotourism conference 2012
Theme:
Integrating Ecotourism Practices For The Modern
Traveler
Dates :20th -22nd February 2012
Venue : AMREF TRAINING CENTRE
PRESENTER : KABII FRANCIS
LECTURER ,KENYA UTALII COLLEGE
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Research Topic
Effect of Two-Way Radio Communications on
game drives in Kenya: Assessment of
safari guides awareness and perception
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Abstract
 Customers achieve the highest level of satisfaction
that comes with watching wildlife.
 Experienced safari guides with skills and knowledge
on wildlife interpretation are valuable assets to tour
firms.
Pressure from the customers is the main reason why
safari guides will tune to any available two-way radio
channel that might guide him to the areas where
wildlife have been seen by other guides
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Cont.
 This brings about overcrowding round
the sighted animals
 this creates a secondary problem of
noise pollution around the wildlife
being watched
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Study objectives
The paper sought to evaluate driver
guides awareness and perception of
the effect two- way radio on;
 Wildlife
 Environment
 Customer experience.
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Research Method
Research design
 The study adopted exploratory design with
a combination of both qualitative and
quantitative methods.
 The study areas was Lake Nakuru national
park, Amboseli national park and Masai
Mara national reserve.
 These are three of the seven parks that
account for over 80% of international
visitors whose main interest is wildlife
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Target population
The target populations were



park rangers/wardens
safari guides
tour managers who often use the
two-way radios.
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Sampling Method
Probability and non probability sampling
method was used.
 Judgmental sampling was used in
selection of the study area and
managers to be interviewed.
 Intercept method was used in
selection of the guides who were
willing to complete the questionnaire
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Data collection and reliability
 Primary data was collected using self
administered questionnaire, FGD,
observation and interview.
 Secondary data was sourced from existing
literature, journals and magazines and the
internet.
 Test re- test method, pilot test and content
analysis were used to test the reliability
and validity of the data collection tools.
 Reliability statistics gave Cronbach’s Alpha
of .898 which was considered suitable.
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Sample size
 The sample size was drawn from a
sample frame(2009/10) that shows that
Kenya has about 2000 registered driver
guides.
 A sample size of 322 respondents was
used at 95% confidence level as guided
by Saunders 2003
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Data analysis and discussion
Respondent profile
 A total of 300 questionnaires were
administered from which 194 were usable.
 Four focus group discussions were held
which comprised of 37 respondents and 6
managers interviewed totaling of 237
respondents.
 This gave a respond rate of 73% which
was considered representative.
 93% percent of respondents were male
while only 6% were female
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Analysis of data
Data analysis
 Data was analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS)
version 16
 Principle Component Method of data
extraction was run using vorimax
rotation with maximum iteration of
.25
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Factor analysis
 Factor 1 was labled ‘Perception of two
way radio on guiding’ extracted from 13
items
 Factor 2 was labled ‘Perception of two
way radio on wildlife’ and was extracted
form 11 items
 Factor 3 was labled ‘Perception of two
way radio on customer experience
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Findings
Driver guides perception of
two-way radio on their
operations
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Locating wildlife
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overcrowding
Driver guides awareness and
perception of effect of
two-way radio on
wildlife
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Shortening stay
Driver guides perception on effect of two-way radio
on customer satisfaction
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Poorly planed itinerary
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Making noise
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Conclusion and implication
 Kenya can no longer assume the effect two-way
radios have on the wildlife ,customers and
environment.
 More attention is needed in order to mitigate any
negative effect the radio might have.
 Most of the driver guides are aware of some effect of
two way- radios on the guiding profession, the wildlife
and the customers.
 Most driver guides can effectively guide without the
use of the radio
 Tour firms prefer using tour van with the radio so
that they keep in touch with the driver and monitor
their movement
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cont
 Driver guides need to be trained on the
effect radio has to the wildlife &
environment
 There should be regular training on
radio etiquette
 Some drivers misuse the radio by using
it as a socialization tool in their mother
tongue
 Radio are helpful incase of emergency
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Cont.
 Driver guides are aware that the radio
contributes to overcrowding.
 Most are not certain on the long term
effect of radio to the wildlife, customers
and the environment.
 The radio reduces the time taken to
search for wildlife and play some role in
customer satisfaction
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Cont.
 Pressure from the office and the
customers force drivers to use the
radio.
 Overcrowding interfering with the
natural behavior of wildlife
 Overcrowding affects the
environment and customers
satisfaction.
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what do you think?
 Do you think we need policies and
regulation on use of radio?
 Do we need to conduct more research
On overcrowding and the radio?
How can we balance ecotourism and
customer experience?
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END
 THANK YOU
Q&A
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