Perception of Residents on Tourism Development in Eleko and Tarkwa Bay Communities, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

The study assessed residents' perception of tourism development in Eleko and Tarkwa Bay recreational communities, Lagos state, Nigeria. The two communities of Eleko and Tarkwa Bay have a total of 337 and 344 households respectively, from which proportionate sampling technique was used to select 135 respondents (20% from each community) for the study. Data obtained were analysed using frequency, percentage, means and independent sample t-test. The mean ages of residents in Eleko and Tarkwa bay were 25.6 and 29 years with a large number being singles (46.3% and 45.6%), Christians (61.2% and 76.5%), and had secondary school education (46.3% and 47.1%), respectively. Residents in the respective tourism sites (59.7% and 50.0%) had favourable perception towards tourism. Alarger percent in Tarkwa Bay (53.7%), than Eleko Beach (44.1%) had favourable perception for tourism development. Improved quality of basic amenities (x = 4.01, 4.13)and improved household standard of living(x=3.76, 3.98) were the most perceived contribution of tourism to residents' quality of life while better shopping opportunities(x= 3.67, 3.77) and better roads ranked lowest. More than half (68.7% and 51.5%) perceived that the tourist centres' contribution to quality of life was high. There is a negative non-significant difference (t= -1.04, P<0.05) between the perception towards tourism by residents in Tarkwa-Bay and Eleko as well as their perceived contribution of tourism to quality of life(t= 0.72, P<0.05).The study therefore concluded that residents' perception of tourism development is favourable in both Tarkwa-Bay and Eleko communities while the road network needs to be worked on.