Residents’ Perception of Tourism Impacts and Involvement: A Cluster Analysis of Kilimanjaro Residents, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed at segmenting residents around Mount Kilimanjaro on the basis of their perception of economic, environmental, and socio-cultural impacts of tourism. A structured questionnaire yielded 160 cases that were clustered and analyzed using non-hierarchical analysis followed by hierarchical cluster analysis. Two clusters were noted to differ with respect to their perceived impacts of tourism. Among the demographic variables, only gender served in differentiating the clusters. The two clusters were observed to differ in terms of economic, political, and social involvement of residents with tourism industry. Residents who are involved in tourism industry are likely to be positive on the impacts of tourism. Both theoretical and managerial implications are derived and discussed.