ASSESSING THE BARRIERS TO ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION OF OWU ONIRE COMMUNITY AT OWU WATERFALL IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2022-03-08
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Elizade Journal of Research in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Abstract
The study focused on the barrier to ecotourism development and economic development of Owu waterfall in Kwara State, Nigeria. A self-developed validated questionnaire and an in-depth interview were used as research instruments, and data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. The target population for the study were household heads, farmers, civil servants, and market women. The findings revealed that the local community's participation in the development of ecotourism in the area is low due to a variety of factors. Barriers to community participation were divided into three categories, which included operational, structural, and cultural. However, it is recommended that existing policies to aid the development of rural tourism should be reviewed while coming up with structural plans to increase the potential of rural tourism in Nigeria. In order to encourage local participation, all stakeholders that are involved in ecotourism development in Owu Waterfall need to work together. In addition, the local community also must overcome the limited capacity for them to participate, such as time and human resources. All parties participating in the ecotourism development of Owu Waterfall must cooperate if local participation is to be boosted
Description
The study focused on the barrier to ecotourism development and economic development of Owu waterfall in Kwara State, Nigeria. A self-developed validated questionnaire and an in-depth interview were used as research instruments, and data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. The target population for the study were household heads, farmers, civil servants, and market women. The findings revealed that the local community's participation in the development of ecotourism in the area is low due to a variety of factors. Barriers to community participation were divided into three categories, which included operational, structural, and cultural.