Homestay Tourism: A Case of Boabeng and Fiema in the Bono East Region of Ghana

Homestay tourism promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging tourist accommodations and activities that have low impact and are friendly with the local environment. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of homestay tourism on residents at Boabeng and Fiema in the Bono East region of Ghana. The sample of the study was 200 respondents. Data were collected with questionnaires through household surveys and interviews with key informants in the study communities. Mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages were used for data analysis. Findings indicate that homestay tourism offers significant potential for income diversification, particularly for farmers who constitute the majority of the population. Cultural immersion and wildlife observation were the most popular activities among tourists, with monkeys being a central attraction. However, challenges such as low educational levels, large family sizes, and economic limitations hinder the community's ability to fully maximize the benefits of homestay tourism. The study recommends capacity-building programs, diversification of tourism activities, infrastructure improvements, and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of homestay tourism in the study area. Keywords: Monkey Sanctuary, tourist destinations, local communities, homestay tourism, Boabeng, Fiema