Marine Tourism's Economic Impact on Sustainable Livelihoods in Mombasa County, Kenya

https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v7i2.2567
Published: Dec 29, 2025

Abstract:

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore how economic aspects of marine tourism influence the sustainable livelihoods of communities in Mombasa County, Kenya.

Methodology/approach: The study was conducted in Mombasa County, Kenya, using a mixed-methods approach guided by sustainable tourism development theory and stakeholder theory. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires from 384 community members and analyzed using SPSS version 23 for regression and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 73 key informants, including beach operators and tourism officials, and analyzed thematically.

Results/findings: The findings indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between the economic aspects of marine tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

Limitations: The study's cross-sectional design limits its ability to capture long-term changes, and its focus on Mombasa County may limit the generalizability of the findings to other coastal communities.

Contribution: This study contributes to the fields of tourism management, sustainable development, and coastal management by providing empirical evidence on the economic impacts of marine tourism. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and local communities in Mombasa County and similar coastal regions.

Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in its integrated approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a holistic understanding of how marine tourism influences sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of tourism policies in shaping the outcomes of marine tourism development.

Keywords: Marine tourism, sustainable livelihood, economic aspects, Kenya

Keywords:
1. Economic Aspects
2. Kenya
3. Marine Tourism
4. Sustainable Livelihood
Authors:
1 . Shirley Natasha Ochieng
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
2 . Kipkosgei Bitok
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
3 . Sisinio Muthingi
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ochieng, S. N., Bitok, K. ., & Muthingi, S. (2025). Marine Tourism’s Economic Impact on Sustainable Livelihoods in Mombasa County, Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 7(2), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v7i2.2567
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Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): December
Articles
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References

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    Prakasa, Y., Sawu, M. R., & Ulinnuha, M. F. (2025). Community Empowerment as a Catalyst for Marine Ecotourism: The Case of Spermonde Archipelago, Makassar. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 79-91. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2421

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    Rasowo, J. O., Orina, P., Nyonje, B., Awuor, S., & Olendi, R. (2020). Harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy: prospects and challenges. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 16(3), 292-316. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2020.1825199

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    Soeswoyo, D. M., Arafah, W., Oktadiana, H., & Budiman, S. F. (2025). Cultural preservation as a catalyst for sustainable tourism: Challenges and potentials in Cimande tourism village, Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 161-178. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2458

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  1. Apriani, A., Kamsariaty, K., Sarinastiti, N., Yuliastuti, H., & Sukmayadi, S. (2023). Toward a greener future: Exploring sustainable practices in travel and tourism in Bali. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 4(3), 241-252. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i3.2092
  2. Bank, W. (2017). The potential of the blue economy: Increasing long-term benefits of the sustainable use of marine resources for small island developing states and coastal least developed countries. Retrieved from Washington, DC: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/523151496389684076/the-potential-of-the-blue-economy-increasing-long-term-benefits-of-the-sustainable-use-of-marine-resources-for-small-island-developing-states-and-coastal-least-developed-countries
  3. Baporikar, N. (2019). Perceptions re community-based projects for economic and societal development. International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics (IJABE), 8(4), 35-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/IJABE.2019100103
  4. Bhuiyan, M. A. H., Darda, A., Habib, M. W., & Hossain, M. B. (2020). Marine tourism for sustainable development in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Retrieved from
  5. Charles, A. (2022). Communities, conservation and livelihoods: IUCN.
  6. Ekpah, O. (2021). Wildlife status and ecotourism potentials of Lekki conservation centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 2(4), 199-212. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v2i4.748
  7. Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach: Cambridge university press.
  8. Gazal, K., Andrew, R., & Burns, R. (2022). Economic contributions of visitor spending in ocean recreation in the Florida keys national marine sanctuary. Water, 14(2), 198. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/w14020198
  9. Grydehøj, A. (2019). Marine island economies: Drivers, roles, and challenges. Paper presented at the The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Islands Economic Cooperation Forum–Annual report on global islands.
  10. Harker, A. L., Stojanovic, T., Majalia, A., Jackson, C., Baya, S., & Tsiganyiu, K. D. (2022). Relationships between livelihoods, well-being, and marine protected areas: Evidence from a community survey, Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, Kenya. Coastal Management, 50(6), 490-513. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2022.2126266
  11. Jonas, A., Radder, L., & Van Eyk, M. (2019). Profile characteristics of marine tourists. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(4), 1-18.
  12. Kadagi, N., Wambiji, N., & Swisher, M. (2020). Potential for conflicts in recreational and artisanal billfish fisheries on the coast of Kenya. Marine Policy, 117, 103960. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103960
  13. Kostianaia, E. A., Kostianoy, A., Lavrova, O. Y., & Soloviev, D. M. (2020). Oil pollution in the Northern Red Sea: a threat to the marine environment and tourism development. Environmental Remote Sensing in Egypt, 329-362. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39593-3_12
  14. Kuntai, S. T. (2020). Awareness and implementation of the critical factors for sustainable tourism-a case of Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Strathmore University.
  15. Lichauco, T. (2022). Sustainable resort-related tourism growth: Identifying challenges and opportunities in Montalban, Rizal. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 3(3), 217-233. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v4i1.1499
  16. Management, F. (2022). FinAccess Household Survey: County Perspective. Retrieved from https://www.fsdkenya.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FinAccess-Household-Survey-County-perspective-November-2022-2.pdf
  17. Mshai, M. S., Kariuki, A. C., & Ndubi, E. O. (2022). Examining the influence of push and pull travel motivation factors on domestic tourism performance. A case of Mombasa County, Kenya.
  18. Mulwa, R. (2021). An Assessment of the Status of Blue Economy Sectors in Kenya. University of Nairobi.
  19. Mwawaza, S. M., Kariuki, A. C., & Ndubi, E. O. (2022). Examining the Influence of Push and Pull Travel Motivation Factors on Domestic Tourism Performance. A Case of Mombasa County, Kenya. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 5(1), 80–92. doi:https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t50101
  20. Ndeche, K. K., Kariuki, D. A., & Ndubi, E. (2021). Stakeholders’ Level of Involvement and Achievement of Sustainability Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Kakamega County. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 4(1), 107-122.
  21. Owuor, M. A., Icely, J., & Newton, A. (2019). Community perceptions of the status and threats facing mangroves of Mida Creek, Kenya: implications for community based management. Ocean & coastal management, 175, 172-179. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.03.027
  22. Prakasa, Y., Sawu, M. R., & Ulinnuha, M. F. (2025). Community Empowerment as a Catalyst for Marine Ecotourism: The Case of Spermonde Archipelago, Makassar. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 79-91. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2421
  23. Praptiwi, R. A., Maharja, C., Fortnam, M., Chaigneau, T., Evans, L., Garniati, L., & Sugardjito, J. (2021). Tourism-based alternative livelihoods for small island communities transitioning towards a blue economy. Sustainability, 13(12), 6655. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126655
  24. Rasowo, J. O., Orina, P., Nyonje, B., Awuor, S., & Olendi, R. (2020). Harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy: prospects and challenges. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 16(3), 292-316. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2020.1825199
  25. Salman, A., Jaafar, M., Mohamad, D., & Khoshkam, M. (2023). Understanding multi-stakeholder complexity & developing a causal recipe (fsQCA) for achieving sustainable ecotourism. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 25(9), 10261-10284. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02488-z
  26. Singgalen, Y. A., & Simange, S. M. (2018). Livelihood and rural tourism development in coastal Area North Maluku Province Indonesia. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
  27. Soeswoyo, D. M., Arafah, W., Oktadiana, H., & Budiman, S. F. (2025). Cultural preservation as a catalyst for sustainable tourism: Challenges and potentials in Cimande tourism village, Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 161-178. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2458
  28. Tahiri, A., Kovaçi, I., & Trajkovska Petkoska, A. (2022). Sustainable tourism as a potential for promotion of regional heritage, local food, traditions, and diversity—case of Kosovo. Sustainability, 14(19), 12326. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912326
  29. Wenhai, L., Cusack, C., Baker, M., Tao, W., Mingbao, C., Paige, K., . . . Amon, D. (2019). Successful blue economy examples with an emphasis on international perspectives. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 261. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00261
  30. Wildlife, M. o. T. a. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism in Kenya: The Measures Taken and the Recovery Pathways. Retrieved from Nairobi, Kenya: https://www.tourism.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PRECIS-COVID-19-AND-TRAVEL-AND-TOURISM.pdf
  31. Woodhead, A. J., Graham, N. A., Robinson, J. P., Norström, A. V., Bodin, N., Marie, S., . . . Hicks, C. C. (2021). Fishers perceptions of ecosystem service change associated with climate?disturbed coral reefs. People and Nature, 3(3), 639-657. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10220