The Influence of Nationality on the Activities of International Tourists: Perspectives of Tanzanian Safari Guides

This study examines the activity preferences of international tourists to Tanzania using data provided by Tanzanian safari tour guides. Data were collected from interviews with Tanzanian safari tour guides working in the northern Tanzania tourism circuit. The results suggest that there are significant differences among nationalities with regard to tourist activities (i.e., game viewing, walking safaris, bird watching, hot air ballooning, indigenous heritage, photographic opportunities, and shopping) offered in Tanzania. Whereas American tourists were perceived to be the most omnipresent and flexible in terms of all activities, Chinese tourists were perceived to exhibit distinct differences in bird watching, accommodations (camping), and eating local dishes. From the guides’ perspectives, the study evinces that tourists to Tanzania tend to differ in their activity preferences by nationality. The practical implications of this study entail understanding tourists’ preferences to help destination managers develop products and tailor marketing to different nationalities in different ways.