TOURISM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN AKOKO EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This research sought to identify and examine the different cultural festivals, heritage sites, tourist attractions in Akoko Edo, it examined the impact of tourism on infrastructural development in the study area, the effect of tourism on employment generation, the challenges of tourism as it affects community development and proffer plausible solutions to the issue or challenges that are prevalent in the community with regard to tourism development. Questionnaires were administered consequently to obtain data on the different impacts tourism has had on community development and also to identify the various tourism facilities. In addition, interviews about the challenges of tourism as it affects community development were carried out. The study carried out statistical analysis on the various data retrieved from the field. The analysis revealed that tourism development has a significant impact on employment generation. Additionally the analysis showed tourism has significant impact on the improvement of road infrastructure development in the community. The research further showed that tourism development has significant impact on electricity supply. Similarly it revealed that tourism development has significant impact on on water supply. Likewise during the course of this research, findings showed that the level of support received from relevant authorities in respect of tourism development in the community has been minimal and largely inadequate. Thus, the study concluded with recommendations that Government should take responsibility in improving existing tourism facilities and sites in the communities, also the improvement of existing infrastructures should be carried out. Furthermore authorities should encourage public private partnership initiative with respect to tourism development, as this initiative is capable of advancing the overall interests of the locals and in general affect community development positively in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo state.