Marine tourism's economic impact on sustainable livelihoods in Mombasa County, Kenya
Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship (JoSTE)
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Abstract: This study explored how economic aspects of marine tourism influence sustainable livelihoods in Mombasa County, Kenya, using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 384 community members and analyzed using SPSS version 23, while qualitative data came from 73 key informants through in-depth interviews. The study found a statistically significant positive relationship between marine tourism's economic aspects and sustainable livelihoods, while identifying key challenges such as income inequality, dependency on seasonal tourism jobs, and limited community participation in decision-making. The research concludes that marine tourism contributes positively to sustainable livelihoods in Mombasa County, but benefits are unevenly distributed and vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations. The study emphasizes that strengthening community participation and diversifying income sources beyond tourism are essential for long-term livelihood resilience and coastal ecosystem management.