Community Support and Socioeconomic Impacts of Cultural Tourism Development in Western Kenya

Cultural tourism has emerged as a vital alternative in rural areas, particularly in Kenya. However, its socioeconomic impacts on local communities are not fully understood. This paper examines how community attitudes and involvement assist the growth of sustainable tourism in Bungoma County, rural Western Kenya. Using a sample of 320 respondents and partial least square-structured equation modeling (PLS-SEM), this study examined key socioeconomic indicators, including employment opportunities, income generation, and community engagement. The economic and cultural importance of tourism for rural development is demonstrated by these metrics. Our results show that support from tourism is strongly influenced by favorable community perception. This study recommends tailored socioeconomic strategies, such as promoting cultural entrepreneurship, enhancing local infrastructure, and fostering collaborative efforts between stakeholders, to diversify rural economies. The novel approach of this research provides critical insights into community-based tourism and presents significant results, contributing to the broader literature on rural socioeconomic development.