Developing a Safari tour package for Finnish Tourists : A Case Study of Masai Mara Game Reserve Safari by Simba Experience Ky
Kerosi, Steve (2014)
Kajaanin ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014121519815
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014121519815
Tiivistelmä
Due to the economic recession, companies are striving to be highly competitive so that they continue their operations. Tourism companies also try to be competitive. One of the competitive advantages is new product development. Meanwhile, new product development for tourism companies seems to be difficult because they are service-oriented enterprises. However, this thesis tried to develop a Safari tour package for its com-missioning company. The purposes of this thesis is to present the current situation of the proposed destina-tion – Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya, identifies the needs, interests and preferences of Finnish tourists on safari tour package in Kenya, and to develop a tour safari package for the commissioner.
In order to achieve the above goals, qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Interviews were used for the qualitative research and an online survey for the quantitative research. The study participants were grouped into four categories. They were Finnish tourists (those who have visited Africa or Safari in other country or game reserve area), potential Finnish tourists, Masai Mara local people and Kenyan government official. Five (5) Finnish tourists, twenty (20) Masai Mara local people and one (1) Kenyan local government official were interviewed. Likewise, sixty (60) people participated in the online survey. Altogether, eighty-six people participated in the study.
The collected data was analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistical techniques for qualitative and quantitative data respectively. The results show that Masai Mara is a promising destination because the local government is implementing favourable policies to encourage tourists; the local people are friendly; there are sufficient supporting services; Finnish tourists showed positive interest in the destination and they gave their contact for further information. Based on the information, a safari tour package was developed.
At the end of thesis, recommendations were given for any interested companies Likewise, research topics areas for further studies were given. Therefore, the thesis contributes the academic world and it makes use of theoretical knowledge in a real life situation – it applies theory to practice.
In order to achieve the above goals, qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Interviews were used for the qualitative research and an online survey for the quantitative research. The study participants were grouped into four categories. They were Finnish tourists (those who have visited Africa or Safari in other country or game reserve area), potential Finnish tourists, Masai Mara local people and Kenyan government official. Five (5) Finnish tourists, twenty (20) Masai Mara local people and one (1) Kenyan local government official were interviewed. Likewise, sixty (60) people participated in the online survey. Altogether, eighty-six people participated in the study.
The collected data was analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistical techniques for qualitative and quantitative data respectively. The results show that Masai Mara is a promising destination because the local government is implementing favourable policies to encourage tourists; the local people are friendly; there are sufficient supporting services; Finnish tourists showed positive interest in the destination and they gave their contact for further information. Based on the information, a safari tour package was developed.
At the end of thesis, recommendations were given for any interested companies Likewise, research topics areas for further studies were given. Therefore, the thesis contributes the academic world and it makes use of theoretical knowledge in a real life situation – it applies theory to practice.