The Influence Of Wildlife Tourism On The Local Communities Of Cross River National Park

ABSTRACT

The work investigated the influence of wildlife tourism on the local communities of Cross River National Park. The study was guided by four research objectives which identified the level of involvement of the local communities of Cross River National Park towards wildlife tourism, ascertained the level of benefit of wildlife to the local communities, ascertained the negative influence of wildlife tourism on the local communities of Cross River National Park, and determined ways of improving wildlife tourism in the study area for sustainability of both the local communities and the National Park. The sample size for the study was 397 respondents and the study used purposive random sampling and stratified sampling technique. Data for the research was generated through a well-structured questionnaire allocated to residents of the study area. The data was analyzed using descriptive analytical tools like frequencies and percentages, mean and standard deviation and ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the analysis proved that gender has significant relationship with local community involvement in wildlife tourism (F cal 11.764 > F tab 2.13), there is significant difference in the benefit enjoyed by the local community from wildlife tourism (F cal 24.42 > F tab 2.13) and there is significant influence of wildlife tourism on the local community of Cross River National Park. (F cal 2.63 > F tab 2.13) at 5% level of significance. The empirical survey revealed that the null hypothesis was not true. From the study, it was recommended that effective host participation in planning and management should be encouraged as it can build support for wildlife tourism development, create new partnership, help resolve conflict between stakeholders and provide an additional source of knowledge and labour. Also, favourable park policies that allow host participation in wildlife tourism should be formulated. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ﾿ ii

Approval ﾿ iii

Certification ﾿ iv

Dedication ﾿ v

Acknowledgement ﾿ vi

Abstract ﾿ vii

Table of Content ﾿ viii

List of Tables ﾿ xi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 ﾿ Background of the Study ﾿ 1

1.2 ﾿ Statement of the Problem ﾿ 6

1.3 ﾿ Objectives of the Study ﾿ 6

1.4 ﾿ Research Questions ﾿ 7

1.5 ﾿ Hypothesis of the Study ﾿ 7

1.6 ﾿ Significance of the Study ﾿ 7

1.7 ﾿ Scope of the Study ﾿ 8

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1    Conceptual Framework ﾿ 9

2.1.1 Wildlife ﾿ 9

2.1.2 Ecotourism ﾿ 10

2.1.3 Wildlife Tourism ﾿ 11

2.1.4 Types of Wildlife Tourism ﾿ 12

2.1.5 Negative Impacts of Wildlife Tourism ﾿ 13

2.1.6 Positive Impacts of Wildlife Tourism ﾿ 14

2.1.7 Tourism and the Environment ﾿ 15

2.1.8 Local Community ﾿ 16

2.1.9 Tourism and the Local Community ﾿ 17

2.2    Theoretical Framework ﾿ 18

2.2.1 Social Exchange Theory (SET) ﾿ 18

2.2.2 Doxey’s Irridex ﾿ 20

2.2.3 Butler’s Tourism Destination Lifecycle ﾿ 20

2.2.4 Tourism Stakeholders Theory ﾿ 21

2.2.5 Conservation Management Models ﾿ 23

2.3    Empirical Framework ﾿ 28

2.4    Influence of Wildlife Tourism on the Local Community ﾿ 30

2.5    Summary of Literature Review ﾿ 31

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODLOGY

3.1    Research Design ﾿ 33

3.2    Area of the Study ﾿ 33

3.3    Population of the Study ﾿ 34

3.4    Sample ﾿ 34

3.5    Sample Technique ﾿ 34

3.6   Instrument for Data Collection ﾿ 35

3.7   Validation of the Instrument ﾿ 36

3.8   Data Collection Techniques ﾿ 36

3.9   Method of Data Analysis ﾿ 36

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1   Data Analysis and Interpretation ﾿ 37

4.2   Major Findings ﾿ 44

4.3   Discussion of Findings ﾿ 45

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1   Summary of Findings ﾿ 48

5.2   Conclusion ﾿ 49

5.3   Recommendation ﾿ 49

REFERENCES ﾿ 51

APPENDIXES