Challenges of Community-based Ecotourism Development in Southern Eastern Nigeria: Case Study of Iko Esai Community

Abstract

The research assessed the challenges of community-based ecotourism (CBE) in Iko Esai Community, Cross River State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling method was adopted for the study. Two wards were randomly selected from four wards in the study area and with sample size of 5.57% of total population, 150 structured questionnaires were administered for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency tables and chi-square analysis in STATVIEW version 5.0.1 at 5% probability level. The results indicated that the challenges militating against CBE in the area were lack of ecotourism marketing (P = .0496), limited access to funds (P = .0004), negative impact of tourism on the indigenes (P = .0003) and poor infrastructural development (P = .0483). Although results from the respondents indicated that conflicts between stakeholders, absence of capacity building and balanced sharing of benefit between tourism operators and the communities, the chisquare analysis indicated that these challenges significantly limited CBE in the area. The indigenes Original Research Articleexhibited willingness to develop CBE in the area but their effort has been frustrated by these challenges. Thus there should be active participation and collaboration with stakeholders for the development of CBE in the area while encouraging the full involvement of the community in the development process.

Ecotourism governance in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…Mensah (2017), focused more on participation as a prerequisite to ecotourism conflict management with local populations found around biodiversity conservation areas. All the studies on conflict management within the West African sub-region also considered conflict management strategies to be less effective and recommended the need for conflicts in ecotourism to be appropriately handled if ecotourism must attain its objectives (Asuk and Nchor 2018). Although many studies in the different sub-regions of SSA consider transparency to be weak (Pasape et al 2015, Agyeman et al 2019, Forje et al 2020a), Boakye (2017), observed that improved transparency in the practice of ecotourism (from decision making process through implementation and clear benefit sharing) in the Mesomagoro in the eastern peripheries of the Kakum National Park in Ghana had encouraged all actors and the local communities to be engaged in the development of ecotourism in the area.…”

Perception of the Status of Iko-Esai Community Forest, Akamkpa Local Government, Cross River State, Nigeria

“…CERCOPAN has been present in the study area since 2006. Since then, they have aided the community in conserving their flora and fauna species as well as designing and developing ecotourism services such as a one hectare Mangabey enclosure, housing facilities for tourist and other leisure sites [12,14].…”

“…This has led to the conservation of Iko Esai community forest and its associated flora and fauna species. Furthermore, with this assistance, the community has been able to develop its forest into an ecotourism hot spot for visitor's appreciation [12,13].…”

“…1). The community with an estimated population of 2,693 people, covers a land area of about 21,000 hectares, is made up of four wards; Eyeyeng, Okoyong, Bukuri and Esereset [12]. Iko Esai community is bounded by Iko Ekperem, New Ekuri and Agoi communities in Akamkpa Local Government Areas of Cross River State.…”

“…Iko Esai community is bounded by Iko Ekperem, New Ekuri and Agoi communities in Akamkpa Local Government Areas of Cross River State. The area is characterized by high rainfall mean annual of 3,000 mm and a dry season that last for up to four (4) months from December to March [12,14]. The temperature of the area ranges from 23 to 37 o C with a relative humidity of 90 to 100% in the rainy season and 70 to 80% in the dry season [12,14].…”