Dr. Stella M. Mwawaza
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Dr. Stella M. Mwawaza is an early career scholar in Tourism Management, currently serving as a lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality. She holds a PhD in Tourism Management and brings to academia a wealth of practical experience gained during her years of service at the Kenya Wildlife Service. This background enriches her teaching and research with practical insights into conservation, destination dynamics, and sustainable tourism practices.
Dr. Mwawaza has participated in joint research projects, like the Impacts of COVID-19 on Community Conservation and Nature-Based Tourism Enterprises in the Amboseli Ecosystem, which looked into resilience strategies in conservation-linked tourism, and Use of Blockchain in Tracking and Tracing Supply Chain of Fruit Products, a study on digital transparency in agri-tourism.
Her research interests focuses on sustainable and inclusive tourism development, with particular interest in climate-conscious tourism, community-based tourism, destination management, and domestic tourism.
Beyond her academic work, Dr. Mwawaza has a strong commitment to youth empowerment and mentoring. She mentors prospective tourism and hospitality professionals through Sustainable Travel & Tourism Africa (STTA)-Inter university Young Change Makers Program. Additionally she is the patron of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Machakos University (HATAMU), a student-led group that encourages leadership, professional growth, social interaction and academic enrichment.