Unravelling the Conditions and Limitations Impacting the Prospect of Developing Rural Eco-Tourism in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Many eco-tourism sites in Oyo State continue to lay in waste. Two are the focus of this chapter: Ikere Gorge Dam and the Ado-Awaye Hanging Lake in Iseyin LGA. Authors examine the condition and prospect of eco-tourism in the rural Iseyin local government area. Data was captured from a structured questionnaire administered to tourists and rural residents. A laboratory test was further carried out on the Iyake water of the hanging lake, indicating that the water is not safe for human consumption because of the lead chemical content. Findings based on inferential statistics established that the host communities perceive no remarkable dividends of tourism in the area and that people have a good impression about the prospect and development of eco-tourism. The study concluded with the need for a tourism masterplan and involvement of the private sector in tourism development in the state. The need for an improvement in complimentary infrastructures such as access roads and electricity was identified to be imperative for improved tourism sites.