Assessment of community awareness and participation in ecotourism in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Adekunle Anthony Ogunjinmi,Charity Omokeme Braimoh

doi:10.2478/environ-2018-0017

Adekunle Anthony Ogunjinmi, Charity Omokeme Braimoh

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2018-0017

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Abstract

Abstract This study assessed the level of community awareness and participation in ecotourism in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Data were collected in communities located in four ranges (i.e. administrative and protection zones) of Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. The ranges are Tede, Marguba, Sepeteri, and Oyo-Ile. Seven (7) communities out of 27 that are in Tede range were selected, eight (8) were selected from 12 communities in Marguba range, eight (8) were selected from 17 communities in Sepeteri range while eight (8) were selected from 30 communities in Oyo Ile range. The study was a questionnaire survey involving 150 respondents that were randomly selected from communities in the four (4) ranges of the Park. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s HSD, t-test and logistic regression. Results revealed that 48% of the respondents were aware of ecotourism while 52% were not. Also, 46% participated in ecotourism while 54% did not participate. A relationship exists between ecotourism awareness and participation (p<0.01). Community type (p<0.01) was the only predictor of community awareness of ecotourism while community type (p<0.01) and awareness (p<0.01) were the predictors of participation in ecotourism in the park. Awareness, active involvement of communities in stakeholder meetings, decision-making and provision of start-up capital are important for ecotourism development in the park.

Highlights

According to OGUNJINMI (2015), ecotourism, as a sub-sector of global tourism, has become a growing phenomenon, in developing countries
The percentage of the respondents that were aware of ecotourism activities in the park was less than the average (48%) with 46% of them participating in ecotourism
Differences in awareness and participation were observed based on education, occupation, length of residency, community type, native status and nationality

Summary

Introduction

According to OGUNJINMI (2015), ecotourism, as a sub-sector of global tourism, has become a growing phenomenon, in developing countries. It is considered the fastest-growing market in the tourism industry (JOHNSTON, 2006). (2001) and UNWTO (2002) opined that ecotourism activities using natural resource attractions in remote rural areas can be important sources of economic diversification and livelihood opportunity. It has been heralded as an alternative, sustainable development initiative in remote communities located in National Parks and Reserves (GUMUS ET AL., 2007)

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