Residents’ perceived effects of ecotourism development in Ibodi monkey forest, Osun state, Nigeria

Authors

  • B. O. Adetola Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
  • E. E. Ofuya, Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
  • B. G. Ogunjemite, Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
  • F. E Olawale, Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Perception, Ecotourism, Communities, Impacts, Attitude

Abstract

Ecotourism has been recognized as a strategic highway for increased growth and development without harming the ecosystem. The potential for ecotourism development in Ibodi Monkey Forest (IBMF) was assessed from the perspectives of the host communities in this study. Residents’ perceived impacts of ecotourism development in IBMF, their acceptance of visitors and willingness to support ecotourism and factors influencing the attitude and perception of the residents towards the development of ecotourism were determined. The study made use of questionnaire to elicit information from respondents from five communities (Iremo, Iroye, Isua, Odolede, Ayetoro) in Ibodi. Data obtained were analyzed using frequencies, mean, percentages, standard deviation and Chi-square. The result indicates that 96.0% of the residents were willing to accept tourists and support ecotourism development (95.0%) in IBMF as it was perceived to have positive economic impacts; employment opportunities (24±1.49), improved standard of living (4.14±1.46), pride of being host community (4.11±1.47)  and benefit from recreational and infrastructural facilities created for visitors (4.10±1.51) as positive social impacts. Increase in local culture awareness (4.16±1.47) and preservation of cultural identity (4.11±1.46) were positive cultural impacts, while environmental impact was perceived as the preservation of natural beauty and tranquility (3.91±1.43). Age, marital status and religion had significant effect (p< 0.05) on the attitude towards ecotourism development in IBMF. However, there were some perceived negative impacts which included disruption in traditional/cultural belief, possibility of damage to historic sites and traffic/parking congestion. The awareness of residents of the positive economic, social, cultural and environmental impact through ecotourism development in IBMF informed their positive attitude and support towards its development.

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Published

2023-04-17

How to Cite

Adetola , B. O., Ofuya, , E. E., Ogunjemite, . B. G., & Olawale, , F. E. (2023). Residents’ perceived effects of ecotourism development in Ibodi monkey forest, Osun state, Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Rural Extension and Development, 13(1), 46–52. Retrieved from http://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/njred/article/view/1026

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2019): The Nigerian Journal of Rural Extension and Development (NJRED)

Section

Articles