Evaluation of sustainable ecotourism practices in Oke-Idanre Hills, Ondo-State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sustainable tourism is contributing to environmental conservation and socio-economic well-being of local communities; however, there is a paucity of knowledge on the sustainability of Idanre Hills despite its huge ecotourism potentials. A mixed-methodological approach was employed in analysing surveyed data on tourist influx and household’s responses from neighbouring communities at the study site and the management staff of the Idanre Hills. Physical field observations were also conducted to assess tourist attractions and their location coordinates. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the empirical analysis. Findings revealed a significant negative correlation between local entrepreneurial investments and economic gains in the host communities. Private investors have not benefited significantly from the economic payback of Idanre Hills as a major ecotourism site. Internally generated revenue to the state government in tourism mainly comes from toll fees and rents charged on local restaurants and bars which signify infinitesimal contribution to overall State’s finance. Local visitors were found to have outrun foreign visitors even when total influx rose by 70.8% between 2005 and 2016. There are also positive cultural and environmental impacts of ecotourism practise; therefore, social amenities and infrastructural facilities are necessary to boost the local economy and encourage private entrepreneurial investments in the ecotourism industry. These policy insights would serve as developmental pathways towards actualising the chore of enlisting Idanre Hills on UNESCO World Heritage List.