Abstract:
The purpose of this paper was to address the working conditions of tourist porters in the
Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The study employed the cross-sectional research design. Since the
actual number of porters was unknown by the time of data collection, the researchers randomly
sampled 141 porters who were willing to participate in the study. The data collection tools included a
questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended items and face-to-face semi-structured
interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis.
Qualitative analysis, on the other hand, was done through content analysis. The researchers
informed all the respondents about the purpose of the study and assured them of confidentiality
regarding the obtained information. The study concludes that the park is committed to managing
luggage weight limits and providing visitors and porters with well-maintained facilities from time to
time but there was a doubt on the quality of those facilities. The study further concludes that
mountain gear and equipment are essential elements for effective porters’ working conditions. The
study recommends that time to time follow up should be done by the government to ensure that the
standard luggage limit is adhered by establishing a proper reporting system that will track porters’
records. The porter association should foster transparency among park officials, tour operators,
porters, and tourists to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the luggage weight limits,
equipment maintenance procedures and ethical standards.
