An Empirical Analysis of Socio-Economic Determinants for Tourist Destination Choices in Tanzania: A Case of the Coastal Circuit

The study examined the socio-economic determinants influencing tourists' destination choices in Tanzania's Coastal circuit, thus analysing the influence of social, economic, and tourism-related factors on tourists' choices. The research involved 365 tourists, both domestic and foreign, and utilized questionnaires and interviews, employing descriptive and logit regression analysis for interpretation. The findings indicated significant social determinants such as age, marital status, and family size; older age and being married increased the likelihood of choosing the coastal region, while larger family size decreased it. Education had a minor impact, with those possessing a diploma or higher showing a lower probability of choosing the circuit. Economic factors like income, employment, exchange rate, and travel cost played a significant role; higher income and lower employment boosted the preference for the coastal circuit. Tourism-related aspects such as accessibility and promotions were crucial, with increased promotions and perceived accessibility raising the probability of selecting the coastal area. Recommendations include tailoring services to match predominant demographics and offering family-friendly packages, improving accommodation satisfaction, and implementing policies to enhance employment in the tourism sector, stabilize the exchange rate, and reduce travel costs for domestic tourists. Additionally, it suggests comprehensive promotional strategies, leveraging digital platforms, and collaborating with influencers to boost the circuit's appeal, while emphasizing high standards, safety measures, and responsiveness to tourist concerns.