Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences

Determinants, Implementation Dynamics, and Operational Impacts of Hospitality-Related Public Policies

Esther Nansamba — 2026-05-06

The hospitality industry is highly sensitive to economic, technological, and regulatory changes, yet the factors shaping policy formulation, implementation, and operational outcomes remain underexplored, particularly in emerging contexts such as Uganda. This narrative review synthesised literature from hospitality management, public administration, tourism governance, and policy studies, incorporating international perspectives and evidence from developing economies, guided by Stakeholder Theory and Institutional Theory, from 76 sources, including 56 journal articles, 16 reports, and 4 books. The review focused on three main thematic areas. First, the determinants of hospitality-related public policies involve government agencies, industry associations, communities, and market forces. Second, policies impact hospitality business operations through compliance requirements, performance outcomes, and service delivery. Third, the dynamics of policy implementation are influenced by power relations, institutional capacity, formal and informal rules. The findings reveal that hospitality policies are primarily driven by a nexus of technological advancements, macroeconomic stability, consumer protection standards, and the lobbying power of industry associations. Operationally, well-aligned policies enhance service efficiency and market competitiveness; however, the study identifies a significant implementation gap characterized by institutional decoupling, where formal regulations are often bypassed by informal hybrid governance arrangements. This is particularly evident in resource-constrained environments where weak institutional capacity and power imbalances between large and small-scale operators dictate policy outcomes. The review proposes an Adaptive Hospitality Policy Model, emphasizing a continuous feedback loop between regulators and stakeholders to ensure that policies remain context-sensitive and operationally feasible. The study concludes that sustainable sector development in Uganda and similar emerging economies depends on transitioning from top-down regulatory mandates to inclusive, stakeholder-driven governance frameworks that prioritize digital competence and institutional transparency. Recommendations include strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and aligning regulations with industry dynamics to improve policy effectiveness.

Tourism Safety and Destination Choice in Nairobi County, Kenya: The Mediating Role of Tourist Behavioral Characteristics

Stellah Nyabiage Ayunga — 2026-05-21

Destination choice is influenced by attractions, accessibility, and perceived safety. Kenya’s low safety and security score of 3.4 out of 7, reflecting crime, terrorism, and political instability, affects tourist decisions. Nairobi County, as the capital and a major tourism hub, has experienced security incidents, making it perceived as unsafe. Although prior research has established a direct link between perceived safety and destination choice, the intervening mechanisms through which tourist behavioral characteristics operate within this relationship remain theoretically and empirically underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the mediating role of tourist behavioral characteristics on the relationship between tourism safety and destination choice in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored on perceived risk theory and Theory of Planned Behaviour. Pragmatist research paradigm with concurrent explanatory research design was adopted. The target population was 2,279 tourists and 53 managers in charge of security from fifty-three star rated hotels in Nairobi County. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select the respondents. Quantitative data was collected from 340 tourists using questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interviews from 11 managers. Quantitative data was analyzed using multiple linear regression for hypothesis testing and Process Macro for mediation while qualitative data used content analysis. Findings show that tourism safety strongly influences destination choice (β = 0.465, p < 0.001). Tourists place high value on safety factors such as crime prevention, health protection, and emergency preparedness when selecting destinations. Behavioral characteristics recorded high mean scores but did not significantly mediate the relationship between tourism safety and destination choice (β = 0.0033, 95% CI [-0.0145, 0.0252]). Qualitative results confirmed that tourists prioritize visible safety measures over motivational or attitudinal factors when making travel decisions. The study concludes that tourism safety is a primary determinant of destination choice in Nairobi County, while behavioral characteristics play a limited mediating role. The findings support Perceived Risk Theory and refine the Theory of Planned Behavior in high-risk tourism contexts by showing that safety perceptions can override internal behavioral processes. The study recommends strengthening safety systems, improving tourism infrastructure, enhancing communication of safety information, and improving destination image management to enhance Nairobi’s competitiveness as a tourist destination. This research contributes to knowledge by highlighting that behavioral characteristics do not mediate the relationship between tourism safety destination choice.

Effectiveness of Student Guidance and Counseling in addressing Mental Health among University students in Public Universities in Kenya

Annelyne Chepchirchir Too — 2026-05-24

The study examined the effectiveness of student guidance and counseling in addressing mental health among university students in public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on Person-Centered Theory, which explains psychological well-being as a product of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and supportive helping relationships. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 225 students and 25 university counselors using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated that 62.22% of students were aware of SG&C services, while 56.21% confirmed that awareness programs were conducted by counselors. Orientation programs (43.12%) served as the main source of information on counseling services. Depression (36.05%) and anxiety (22.96%) were the most prevalent mental health challenges, followed by interpersonal problems (19.63%) and suicidal ideation (12.55%). Only 41.79% of students sought counseling services, although 95.85% of those who accessed services reported receiving effective help and rated the services as useful. Interview findings supported quantitative results, highlighting high effectiveness among engaged students, strong institutional support, but persistent barriers such as stigma, limited staffing, and low help-seeking behavior. The study concludes that SG&C services are effective in improving mental health outcomes among students who access them, though utilization remains relatively low. Strengthening awareness, expanding counseling capacity, and reducing stigma can improve service uptake and mental health outcomes in universities.