Patronage Pattern of Idanre Hills as Eco-Tourism Centre

Abstract

This study examines the development and management of Idanre hills tourist centre in Ondo state. It also assesses the existing tourism potentials and infrastructural facilities in the tourist centre, trend of patronage and the tourist’ level of satisfaction with tourism attractions, facilities and services in the centre; and impacts of the centre on the host community. Forty-six questionnaires were administered on the tourists who were randomly selected in the tourist centre. To examine the impact of the centre on the host community, systematic sampling technique was used to select one hundred and thirty (130) residents. Three indices were developed to measure the perception of respondents on various aspect of the investigation. These include; 'Infrastructural Facilities Index' (IFI), 'Potential Level Index' (PLI), and 'Tourism Effect Index' (TEI). Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between year and number of patrons.Level of 'security' was perceived to be satisfactory in the area (IFI=4.22). The 'hills' is a major potential in the area (PLI=4.85). The centre has significant effect on 'employment' in the area (TEI=4.26). The study identifies a significant, positive linear relationship between year and number of patrons in Idanre hill tourist centre (r = .864, P value = 0.001), which indicates an increase in the level of patronage over the period used (2014-2050). The study revealed that the centre has socio-economic impact on the area in terms of income generation, job creation, and infrastructural development. Though, there are challenges facing tourism in the area, the study suggests provision of basic social amenities to enhance development in the area, government-private partnership, and community involvement to give a sense of belonging in bringing development to the area.

Keywords: Ecotourism, Patronage, Impact of Tourism, Tourism Development, Satisfaction, Idanre Hills.