Effect of Community Based Tourism for Residents’ Quality of Life for Mfuwe

The aimed of the study was to assess the effect of Community Based Tourism on the residents’ quality of life in Mfuwe town. While tourism has many positive effects, it has unintended consequences on residents’ quality of life for Mfuwe. The study examined the multifaceted impact of Community-Based Tourism on residents’ quality of life, perceptions, and the growth of the local tourism industry across economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions in Mfuwe’s four chiefdoms. Data was generated using a mixed method approach. The findings revealed that Community Based Tourism significantly enhances economic outcomes, preserves local traditions, promotes sustainable practices and fosters cohesion. However, limitations exist in resident participation in planning, business community engagement and uneven benefit distribution. The study recommended enhancing resident participation in tourism planning, strengthening environmental education, broadening economic benefits, targeting lagging locations and mitigating negative effects to fully realize Community Based Tourism potential for holistic community upliftment. The study highlighted the multifaceted effect of Community Based Tourism on residents’ quality of life. The study significance was to provide useful information by tourism developers, policy makers, to ensure there is coherent tourism development and planning, which takes into account the participation of the local people, whilst mitigating potential negative effects.