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This study was carried out to assess the challenges facing tour guides and porters in Kilimanjaro National Park. Four routes were selected, includes Machame and Umbwe (ascending), Marangu (ascending and descending) while Mweka, was used only for field observation because was the only descending route. Purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to obtain 120 respondents. Data were collected by using questionnaire surveys, interviews, physical site visits, focus group discussions and secondary data review. Information for quantitative data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 16. Content analysis was used for qualitative information. The results indicate that working environments of tour guides and porters were not friendly due to the fact that, they lack pension funds (100%), permanent contract and health/life insurance (98%). Porters and tour guides worked at their own risk. As for income level, tour guides and porters were paid an average of Tshs 18,000/= and 8500/= per day respectively which is low compared to what was recommended on Government Notice Number 228 of June 2008, whereby guide should receive 20US$ while 10 US$ for porters. In regards to the challenges, the majority of porter/guides were faced with various challenge originating from various sources. These challenges include; Altitude Mountain Sickness (25.3%), bad weather condition (22.1%) and lack of communication (15.2%). In addition, measures proposed to improve working conditions include companies to pay the recommended salaries (57.9%), increase in food quality and ratio (57.9%), improvement of accommodation (47.4 %)and appropriate luggage weight(36.8%). The study lastly provides some recommendations for the improvements of industry; KINAPA and trade association should work together in an effective way to reduce the challenges. |
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