PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS IN IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY OKADA, EDO STATE, TOWARDS ECOTOURISM IN NIGERIA
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Abstract
This study examined the perception and attitude of students of Igbinedion University Okada towards ecotourism in Nigeria. The research aimed to determine their level of awareness, participation, benefits derived, and challenges hindering ecotourism development. The study utilized proportional allocation and simple random sampling to ensure fair representation across the seven (7) colleges of Igbinedion University, Okada. A 5% sampling intensity was applied to the estimated 5,000 student population, resulting
in 250 questionnaires distributed proportionally based on the number of departments in each college. Simple random sampling was used to administer the questionnaire to the student in each college, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage .The results revealed that most respondents (37.6%) were aware of ecotourism, while 80% expressed willingness to learn more about it. The Internet (34.15%) served as the major source of information on ecotourism. About 65.2% of respondents had previously visited at least one ecotourism site, with zoos (39.82%) being the most visited. A significant proportion (77.91%) indicated their willingness to revisit such sites, and 79.75% would recommend them to others. The results also revealed that, 83.6% of the respondents supported the establishment of an ecotourism site within the university, mainly for social and recreational purposes. Regarding the economic and developmental impact, 85.2% of respondents viewed ecotourism as a hope for Nigeria’s economy, and 87.6% believed it provides tangible benefits such as bringing people closer to nature (34.03%), recreation (20.83%), and employment (20.49%). The major challenges hindering ecotourism development as identified by the respondents included lack of adequate amenities (29.8%), ignorance (21.52%), and insecurity (17.88%). It was recommended that increased sensitization through digital platforms, integration of ecotourism into academic curricula, improved infrastructure, and policy support to strengthen sustainable ecotourism growth in Nigeria.
in 250 questionnaires distributed proportionally based on the number of departments in each college. Simple random sampling was used to administer the questionnaire to the student in each college, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage .The results revealed that most respondents (37.6%) were aware of ecotourism, while 80% expressed willingness to learn more about it. The Internet (34.15%) served as the major source of information on ecotourism. About 65.2% of respondents had previously visited at least one ecotourism site, with zoos (39.82%) being the most visited. A significant proportion (77.91%) indicated their willingness to revisit such sites, and 79.75% would recommend them to others. The results also revealed that, 83.6% of the respondents supported the establishment of an ecotourism site within the university, mainly for social and recreational purposes. Regarding the economic and developmental impact, 85.2% of respondents viewed ecotourism as a hope for Nigeria’s economy, and 87.6% believed it provides tangible benefits such as bringing people closer to nature (34.03%), recreation (20.83%), and employment (20.49%). The major challenges hindering ecotourism development as identified by the respondents included lack of adequate amenities (29.8%), ignorance (21.52%), and insecurity (17.88%). It was recommended that increased sensitization through digital platforms, integration of ecotourism into academic curricula, improved infrastructure, and policy support to strengthen sustainable ecotourism growth in Nigeria.
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