Contribution of Tour Operators in Management of Seasonality in Mt. Elgon National Park in Eastern Uganda

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to assess the contributions of tour operators and management of seasonality in Mt. Elgon National Park, Eastern Uganda. The study was guided by specific objectives that were meant to find out the level of activities carried out by tour operators, how these activities influence management of tourism and how tour operators can help in improving management in Mt. Elgon National park in eastern Uganda. Regarding the literature review, in chapter Two, variables were reviewed under themes that constituted sub-headings. They included level of activities carried out by tour operators, origin of tourism, challenges encountered by tour operators, challenges faced by the tourism sector and what tour operators can do to improve tourism. Of the activities performed by tour operators, Monitoring, addressing and delivering visitor satisfaction was the most activity as found out during the study. The research study used a cross sectional survey design consisting of both explanatory and descriptive designs. Explanatory design was used to explain the contribution of tour operators to the visitation while descriptive design was used to explore how big / the magnitude of the problem that was under study. The selection of respondents was by simple random and purposive sampling basing a sample size of 30 respondents from a target population of 50 respondents who included tour operators, Mt. Elgon staff, UTB tourists, staff managers all within the area under study. Data collection methods used to collect data included self administered questionnaires, interview method, and reviews of documents like reports and journals all which helped the researcher to access data needed for the research. In chapter four, findings from the contribution of tour operators showed Monitoring, addressing and delivering visitor satisfaction as a major contribution that result into a better management strategy of boosting tourism in Mt. Elgon. Other findings showed that government, stakeholders like private partners in tourism, UWA staff can play a vital role in keeping tourism a better source of attraction. Basing on the findings, it is therefore recommended that the government through the ministry of tourism, private partners, communities neighbouring the park be considered in making decisions on how best to keep Mt. Elgon a better source of attraction for tourists.