Abstract: This study examined the perceived influence of tourism growth on local infrastructure development and maintenance in Kinigi Sector, Musanze District, Rwanda, the gateway community to Volcanoes National Park. A descriptive, cross-sectional, single-case survey design was employed. Data were collected through face-to-face structured questionnaires from 396 respondents, comprising residents, tourism stakeholders, and local leaders. Two discussion questions were also administered to capture respondents’ views on infrastructure improvements and challenges. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies and percentages in SPSS version 26, while discussion responses were manually coded into predefined categories. The findings indicate that tourism growth is widely perceived to have contributed to improvements in local infrastructure and tourism-related services. Ninety-eight percent of respondents perceived tourism to have increased over the previous five years, while 97% rated its overall effect on infrastructure development as positive. Similarly, 93% expressed satisfaction with infrastructure development and maintenance, and 95% rated tourism-related infrastructure services as good or very good. Government investment was the most frequently identified driver of tourism growth (59%), while local government was most commonly identified as the institution supporting infrastructure development (65%). However, 91% of respondents perceived tourism growth as increasing infrastructure maintenance requirements, and land pressure was identified as the most prominent negative effect (70%). The findings suggest that tourism growth is perceived to generate important infrastructure benefits while simultaneously increasing maintenance demands and land-use pressures. The study therefore recommends strengthening maintenance-focused planning and financing, diversifying infrastructure funding mechanisms, and improving land-use planning in tourism-adjacent areas. Nevertheless, the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported perceptions, and absence of objective indicators or comparison areas limit causal interpretation. Future research should employ longitudinal and comparative designs with objective infrastructure indicators and inferential methods to provide stronger evidence on the relationship between tourism growth and local infrastructure development.
Keywords: Tourism Growth, Infrastructure, Development, Maintenance, Kinigi Sector, Rwanda.
Title: The Impact of Tourism Growth on Local Infrastructure Development and Maintenance: A Descriptive Case Study of Kinigi Sector, Rwanda
Author: NIYONZIMA Zacharie, Dr. Charles Aloo
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 14, Issue 4, October 2026 - December 2026
Page No: 1-11
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 06-October-2026
