Strategic Determinants of Destination Competitiveness: A Case of Western Tourist Circuit, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya’s Western Tourist Circuit is often referred to as the country’s ‘best-kept secret’. However, the circuit is one of the least competitive as most tourists prefer coastal beaches and game parks. The purpose of this paper was to establish the strategic determinants of tourism destination competitiveness in Kenya’s Western Tourist Circuit. The study was grounded on and guided by the Ritchie and Crouch (2003) model of destination competitiveness. The objectives of the study were: to examine the effect of destination attractors on destination competitiveness and to establish the effect of support resources on destination competitiveness. Explanatory research design was adopted. Convenience sampling technique was used to arrive at a sample of 102 tourists. Destination attractors were found to positively and significantly affect destination competitiveness whereas support resources had a negative though insignificant effect on destination competitiveness