Community Based Tourism and Economic Development in Ikwuano
Abstract
This study was undertaken to ascertain the impact community based tourism (CBT) will have on the local residents in the communities in Ikwuano as the focus of the study. Five research objectives were utilized for the study which sought to determine the extent to which cultural festivals, local foods, local products, natural environment and local entertainment can improve the economy and generate income for the teaming unemployed youth, women and men in Ikwuano if properly harnessed. Mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research design were adopted for the study. 399 questionnaires were distributed to selected communities in Ikwuano. Simpletables of mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that the local culture (Ekpe festival), local entertainment (Ekperikpe dance), natural environment, local food and dishes, local products such as garri, palm oil, yam and other products have significant influence and effect on the income generation of local residents in Ikwuano communities. The study recommends the Ekpe cultural festival should be should be promoted to wider reach to attract more tourists. Eco system should be protected to sustain the natural environment, local foods and dishes be packaged and be promoted, local entertainment should be packaged and sold to the wider society using social media and other platforms. The local be encouraged by government and non-government organizations with micro credit loan to increase farming, produce the local products in larger quantities.
Keywords
community based tourismeconomic developmentlocal culturelocal productslocal
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