Abstract:
Abstract
This study sought to examine the influence of constraints on domestic tourism participation
behaviour in Nairobi County. Explanatory and descriptive designs were employed. The target
population comprised of residents of Nairobi County aged above 18 years. Questionnaires
were used to collect data from 337 domestic tourists drawn from five tourist sites, and 339
residents who had not participated in domestic tourism drawn from eight shopping malls. The
findings from the independent t-test indicated that there was a significant difference in
constraints between the two sets of respondents with the non-participating respondents
displaying more constraints than the participating ones (t =-15.18, df =674, p<0.001). In
addition, linear regression analysis revealed that constraints significantly predicted
participation behaviour for both the participating respondents (β= -0. 206, p<0.001) and nonparticipating respondents (β=0.304, p<0.001). The study concluded that there was a need to
differentiate strategies targeting the existing tourists and potential tourists since they were
facing significantly different constraints. From a theoretical perspective, the study validates
existing studies on effects of constraints on participation. From a practical point of view, the
study identifies the nature of constraints affecting domestic tourism participants and nonparticipant and suggests the focus for marketing strategies for each group.
Keywords: Constraints, participants, non-participants, domestic tourism, participation
behaviour.
