Ecotourism in Nigeria: The Okomu National Park Context

Nigeria is a country rich in biodiversity and natural landscapes hence making her an ideal destination for ecotourism especially in the national parks.There is a death of information with respect to ecotourism in Nigerian National Parks despite Several studies having addressedecotourism dynamics in national parks round the world. This study thus assessed the status and significance of ecotourism in Okomu National Park. Semi-structured questionnaire distributed using the simple random sampling techniquewere used: fifty (50) and one hundred and twenty (120) for visitors and residents respectively totaling one hundred and seventy (170) as well as in-depth interviews.Visitors travel motive were mostly for the purpose of education/research (56%). Visitors’ primary attractions to the park were Forest elephants Loxodontaafricanacyclotis; white throated monkey Cercopi the cuserythrogasterand the 140 feet high tree house. The ecotourism management strategies in the park include the use of code of conduct, conservation education, tour guides and eco-lodges. Tourist influx do not influence trade and businesses in any way as acclaimed by 47.1% of the community respondents.Ecotourism in Okomu National Park is still at an infant stage with respect to visitors’ influx, attractions and socio-economic contribution. Keywords: visitor experience, community-based tourism, management

Knowledge and Practice of Environmental Management at Selected Ecotourism Destinations in Edo State

The purposeful activity goaled to maintain and improve the state of an environmental resource affected by human activities is environmental management (EM). EM in ecotourism destinations is essential not only for the conservation of the environmental resources therein but also to maintain a long term environmental quality that aids sustained ecotourists interests/satisfaction; surrounding local communities involvement as well as the environmental image of the destination. This research assessed the view of employees and visitors about EM of Okomu National Park (OKNP) and Ogba Zoo and Nature Park (OZNP) in Edo State; identified the waste disposal and treatment methods as well as the EM standards/tools employed. The primary survey instrument was questionnaire {two hundred and thirty six (236): fifty (50) and one hundred and thirty eight (138) for visitors and forty two (42) and six (6) for employees in OKNP and OZNP respectively}. Questionnaires to the visitors were distributed using the simple random sampling technique while employees were purposively selected. Data analysis includes the use of descriptive (frequency and percentage tables; bar charts) and Chi Square analyses. Most of the respondents have heard about EM at one time or the other – the dominant medium of awareness being radio/television. Majority asserted that every employee (95.2% and 100%) and visitor (96% and 81.9%) should be aware of EM in OKNP and OZNP respectively. Waste generated onsite is disposed by landfill/land treatment (48.5% and 33.3%), incineration/burning (30.3% and 50%), chemical treatment (9.1% and 16.7%) and biological method (6.1% and 0%) in OKNP and OZNP respectively. Waste is not recycled neither is the hazardousness determined at both sites. OKNP employed EM standard/tools as reported by employees include environmental monitoring (54.8%), public environmental report (40.5%), Environmental Management System (35.7%); written environmental policy (31%), eco-labelling (26.2%) while OZNP has not fully delved into the use of any defined standard/tool. The concept of EM is not strange to the respondents as they understand what it means, recognise its need in the sites and admit that it is imperative for all staff and visitors likewise to be conversant with it. It is recommended that an extensive waste management plan should be put in place which focuses on reduce, reuse, recover and recycle. Also, the Zoo should employ the use of EM standards/tools which can aid in identifying, quantifying and evaluating defined impacts of actions taken at the site. Keywords: Environmental Management, Ecotourism, Waste Management Pla

Environmental Attitude, Motivation, and Place Attachment in a Wildlife Park

Despite the significance of motivation in understanding the behavior of tourists, its interconnectedness to environmental attitude and place attachment has been scarcely studied in nature-based tourism destinations, especially outside the western and Anglo western context. This study examined these constructs as individual variables as well as the inter-relationships that exist between them in the context of a wildlife park. Using a convenience sampling technique, 372 visitors were surveyed. It was revealed that visitors displayed more anthropocentric beliefs than ecologically favorable concerns. Their motivations centered on experiencing and appreciating nature, recreation, relaxation, and education which are some of the core goals of the establishment of such areas as wildlife parks. The levels of attachment to the destination were however mild. The results further revealed significant associations between the constructs. The partial mediating role of motivation in the relationship between environmental attitude and place attachment was also reported. Appropriate conclusions were drawn, and managerial implications were discussed