THE MAJOR CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN IMO STATE
Ogbuji, S I.
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
E-mail: sogbujiic@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT:
Ecotourism development in Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general has been on a very low ebb despite the abundant ecotourism resources in the area. many researchers have investigated into the challenges of ecotourism development in Nigeria and proffered solutions to the challenges, yet, nothing has changed in this regard, hence one wonders whether those identified challenges and solutions are the really the issues. It therefore, becomes very imperative to research into the real challenges of sustainable ecotourism development in the state and thereby proffering real solutions in order to achieve sustainable ecotourism development in the state. Data were collected with structured questionnaire administered to 360 respondents from the selected households. Percentages, mean scores and chi-square were employed for data analysis. Findings showed that males dominated in the research (70.5%), Farmers (47.66%), married (57.89%) and holders of First School Leaving Certificate (30.04%). The challenges of sustainable ecotourism include lack government attention (x=2.85), lack of infrastructure (3.04), lack of awareness (3.11) and lack of promotion (2.99) while lack of identification, prioritization and mapping potential resources are seen as major challenges of sustainable ecotourism development (P<0.01; X2 = 3395. 226). It was recommended that for sustainable ecotourism development in the state, there is the need for the employment of geographic information techniques in the identification, prioritization and mapping potential ecotourism resources hence, the employment of geographic information systems experts by the local governments and tourism ministries.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Sustainable Development, Imo State, Major Challenges.
