Enhancing Eco-Tourism Development in Rural Cross River State: An Empirical Analysis of Infrastructure and Local Business Initiatives.

Abstract

-This study examined the Enhancing Eco-Tourism Development in Rural Cross River State: An Empirical Analysis of Infrastructure and Local Business Initiatives. Two research questions directed this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of this study comprised 47,483 tourism workers and tourism business owners in the study area. The sample for the study comprised 1,040 respondents in the study area which multi-stage sampling approach was adopted. Data were collected using a questionnaire titled “Socio Economic Factors and Ecotourism Development in Rural Communities Questionnaire” (SEFEDRCQ). The instrument was validated by three research experts from Educational Foundation department of the University of Calabar. The reliability of the instrument was determined with Cronbach Alpha reliability method which gave reliability coefficient which ranged from .83 to .89. The data collected were analyzed using Simple Linear Regression and Multiple Linear Regression tested from .05 level of significance and the result reveals that there is a significance influence of provision of infrastructural facilities, local business development, and cultural activities on ecotourism development in rural communities. Based on the result of the study it was concluded that, provision of infrastructural facilities, local business development, and cultural activities should be properly managed to promote ecotourism development. It was recommended among others that, policymakers and stakeholders should develop regulations that support community-based tourism initiatives and ensure that local communities benefit from ecotourism.