Tourism Participation: Attractions, Influences and Key Trends in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The heart of this research is concerned with the level of participation in
tourism activities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The broad objectives of the study are to appraise the tourism potentials of the state vis-à-vis the level of patronage and the influences on the choice of attraction, as well as the constraints to tourism development. The research methods include indept fieldwork, observation, participation, focus group discussions and interviews. The research instrument is questionnaire administration with the aid of stratified random sampling technique. Findings from the study revealed that the natural and man-made potentials for recreation and tourism in Ekiti State are multi-various. In spite of this, the level of tourism development is very low, and thus the level of participation in domestic tourism is equally very low. To this end, the research recommends that all the stakeholders in the tourism industry should formulate and implement development master plan and policy for sustainable tourism in the state. On this note, the report would undoubtedly be of interest and value to researchers, tourists, evaluators, government and those planning new initiatives for the development of recreation and tourism.

Key Words: Attraction, Influences, Participation, Recreation, Tourism