Factors Determining Local Community Participation In Ecotourism Development The Case Of Suba Forest Special Zone Of Oromia Surrounding Finfine Oromia National Regional State

This study focused on assessment of determinant factors that affect local communityrnparticipation in ecotourism activities in Suba Forest and its environs. The study employed mixedrnresearch approach and data were collected using questionnaire, interview, secondary data, andrnfield observation. The findings of the study revealed that the demographic, social, economic andrnadministrative factors inhibiting local community participation in the ecotourism activities in therncase of Suba Forest. Local community of the area were entirely excluded from ecotourismrndevelopments and exhaustively depended on the forests products and by products in addition tornagriculture and they are against the prevailing top-down approach in decision making. Lack ofrnefforts and commitment from the forest and Wolmera Woreda Culture and Tourism Office to usernecotourism as alternative economic sources through local community empowerments andrninvolvement were the main constraints. Finally the study recommends that ecotourism shouldrnacquire priority and government has to apply participatory ecotourism development approachesrnand strategies to exploit areas ecotourism development potentials to overcome the currentrnenvironmental, socio-cultural and economical challenges through active stakeholderrninvolvement.

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