Spatial Distribution and Patronage of Ecotourism Attractions in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on examining the spatial characteristics and the patronage pattern of attractions and eco-tourism products in Enugu State. Primary and secondary sources of data collection were used to elicit information for the study. The primary sources involved the use of questionnaire survey, interview sessions guided by participatory rural appraisal technique, telephone survey, direct field observation and the use of Geographic Information System techniques. The secondary sources involved the use of documented information in textbooks, journals and registry of eco-tourism attraction across the study area. Findings from the study indicate that forty-one (41) operational ecotourism attractions exist across the study location with the result of the nearest neighbor analysis of 0.93 revealing that ecotourism attractions were randomly distributed across the study area. The study also observed that a total of 6,360 visitors visited and patronized the attractions between 2013 and 2017 with domestic eco-tourists having 56% of the entire visits to the attractions while visits by international eco-tourists recorded 44% of the entire visits. Based on the findings, the study recommended that major stakeholders in the tourism industry (government, non-governmental organizations and host communities) should collaborate and corporate to create an enabling environment for more investment opportunities and organize more ecotourism activities in the area. The study also recommended that managers of ecotourism attractions should employ modern marketing strategies to help create more awareness about the ecotourism attractions and its facilities to the entire world.