A Mobile based solution for locating campsites and providing camping information in Kenya
Date
2017
Authors
Ouma, Leonard Kore
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The tourism industry in Kenya and many African countries has been a key contributor to the national economy surpassing other key sectors such as mining, construction and agriculture. Camping is one of the major tourism activities in Kenya that domestic and international tourists engage in. This sector has been overshadowed and neglected by other tourism activities such as beaches and wildlife yet it is a major contributor to the economy. The major cause of this neglect is lack of a reliable platform where campers can easily access camping information and locate their preferred camping sites. A mobile solution iCamp Kenya was implemented to provide campers with a platform to locate camps in Kenya and get reliable camping information such as accommodation prices, highly rated camps, useful camping tips while planning a trip, transp01t options, directions to the camp and contact information. Quantitative research methods such as questionnaires were used to test the implemented system and collect primary data. The sample size for this population was 136 Vagabond Travels club members. The findings of the research show that users found the application was fully functional and easy to use. They were able to find their desired camps easily and were satisfied with the useful information that assisted them in planning their camping trip. Users also made a few recommendations that improved the features application. The potential for success and growth for the research project is very high due to the rapid growth of mobile phone usage in Kenya, the ever-growing tourism industry in Kenya supp01ted by domestic and international tourists and finally the encouraging adoption of mobile platforms by majority of the business owners in the tourism sector.
Description
A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mobile Telecommunications and Innovation (MSc. MTI)
Keywords
Campsites, Kenya, iCamp