Wildlife tourism potential in Benue, Kogi and Plateau States, Nigeria
Ayodele, I.A.; Lameed, G.A.; Akanbi, O.A.
Nigerian Journal of Forestry 29(1/2): 19-27
1999
Document Number: 563970
A survey of wildlife tourism potentials was carried out in Benue, Kogi and Plateau States of Nigeria. Observations were made on the species of wild animals present in game reserves, parks and zoological gardens. The relative abundance of each animal species was obtained in each states. Randomly administered questionnaires were used to determine those factors that directly or indirectly affect wildlife tourism in each state. It was observed in the three states that age, gender and type of profession of an individual has a significant effect (P<0.05) on wildlife tourism. Moreover, tourists' facilities like hotel and accommodation, transportation, road network and the hospitality of the local people plays major roles and has a significant effect (P<0.05) in states like Benue and Kogi. Effort should therefore be made by the government to promote tourism publicity, through training of qualified personnel to protect against incessant poaching, as well as to develop tourism facilities and amenities like airports, hotels and souvenir shops.