Accessibility of Marine Tourism Resources and Community Livelihood in Tanzania: A Case of Bagamoyo and Kilwa Coastal Communities

Abstract

This article explores the link between the accessibility of marine tourism resources and sustainable livelihoods in Tanzanian communities, guided by the sustainable livelihood’s framework. Data was gathered through convenience sampling from Kilwa and Bagamoyo's coastal populations between March and April 2025. Out of 280 distributed questionnaires, 161 (73.9%) were analyzed using SPSS and SEM (AMOS). Results indicated that access to various types of livelihood assets, including financial, human, social, and physical resources, significantly benefits sustainable livelihoods in these coastal areas. Stakeholders should aim to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14, which emphasizes the importance of marine tourism resources for coastal communities. Promoting access and sustainable use of these resources can aid conservation efforts and sustainable development. The study offers strategic recommendations for government and private sector investment to ensure equitable access to ocean resources for coastal communities.