Inward Internationalization of Culture-Based Tourism, A Case of the Kabaka's Trail in Uganda

Abstract

This study aims at the analysis of existing cultural heritage resources and how they can be exploited to attract international tourists and generate revenue for community livelihood improvement. It focuses on Kabaka's trail located in Buganda region in the central Uganda. The study adopts a cross sectional survey approach, where data was collected using documentary reviews, focus group discussions and a questionnaire. The results indicate that culture-based tourism is positively correlated with cultural conservation and community livelihood. The results of this study call for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to preserve and conserve cultural heritage sites in Uganda and develop them as tourist attractions. There is a need to adopt innovative ways of international marketing of Uganda's cultural tourism potential. It is also necessary to devise effective policies on how to increase community involvement in planning and implementation of culture-based tourism programs so as to maximize socioeconomic benefits to the communities.

Keywords:

• Cultural tourism
• Uganda
• internationalization
• marketing innovation
• Kabakas trail