Management Effectiveness and Tourist Satisfaction in Private Protected Area; Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) and Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative (Lufasi), Lagos State

Abstract

Protected areas have been recognized as one of the most viable tools for conserving the environment which serves as “sanctuary” for threatened species, natural buffers against climate change and other vital ecosystem services. This research is aimed at assessing management effectiveness and also tourist satisfaction in private nature reserves within urban area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology was adapted and administered to managers working at LCC and LUFASI nature reserves. Two hundred and three (203) respondents (tourists) were selected for both LCC (113) and LUFASI (90). Tourists were satisfied with the experience they had from their tour. Legal security, staffing, Communication & Information, Infrastructure, finances, Research monitoring & evaluation and outputs were significant (p ≤0.05) indicators between the context in the two reserves. Control of pressures and threat in the two-nature reserve are adequately carried out. However, threat recorded as a result of negative impact of tourist activities such as camping, motorized vehicle use and other types of recreational activities can be managed through development of tourist policy and constant monitoring especially during peak periods of the year which is as a result of high influx of tourists. Site design and planning of the reserves is consistent with the objectives of the reserve, which optimizes conservation of biodiversity. A significant difference between management effectiveness of LCC and LUFASI was obtained (t= 2.79 p= 0.01). We therefore recommend that more private organizations and individuals should consider investing in establishment of nature reserves.