International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

 Assessing the Relevance of Community Participation in Local Tourism ctivities

 Augustine Antwi Boasiako¹, Isaac Yeboah^2
1Dept. of Economics, Marketing and Services, Pentecost University, Accra, Ghana
²College of Foundation of Professional Studies, Pentecost University, Accra, Ghana

Abstract-This research attempt to find the level of community participation in the tourism industry at the micro level. Due to the sensitive nature of the research mixed method was used since each correct the anomaly of the other to make it a whole. The analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistics and mean for quantitative method whilst individuals who were opinion leaders were interviewed through recording and later transcribed. The results of the study revealed that as the tourism industry of Ghana becomes more formalized and institutionalized, more local community members gain exposure and proper insights to develop an in-depth understanding of its economic base and potentials. Alsothe results demonstrate that governance and local community’s participation are important component of the tourism development in every community.

Keywords: Community, Tourism, Participation, Government and People

I. INTRODUCTION

The importance of Tourism has been highlighted by lots of researchers and academicians all around the world.World Travel & Tourism Council(WTTC, 2019)affirms domestic tourism as the key catalyst for action, accounted for about 73 percent of total global Travel and Tourism spending in 2017 (WTTC, 2019).
Recent studies have revealed that efficiently managed, domestic travels can significantly help address seasonality in tourist’s flows and help disperse prospective tourists to less-visited areas, which are almost always overlooked by foreign visitors (Rogerson, 2015a and 2015b).
It may also serve as a catalyst for community upliftment, and foster community pride (Godfrey & Clarke, 2000; Weaver & Lawton, 2010), or even increasing income for residents (Sharma , Dyer , Carter & Gursoy, 2008) and encouraging the creation of more infrastructure to accommodate the number of visitors (Simpson, 2008; Godfrey & Clarke, 2000)
Alternatively, when poorly managed, the industry can induce adverse outcomes such as a decline in traditions and values (Cooper & Hall, 2008), materialism (Godfrey & Clarke,2000), as well as increasing crime rates (Kim &Petrick, 2005; Godfrey & Clarke, 2000), and social conflict (Andereck, Valentine., Knopf & Vogt 2005).