Trends Analysis of Visitor and Income Flows on Selected Ecotourism Sites in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze the trends of visitor and income flows to two major ecotourism sites in South-East Nigeria. The two sites were selected based on availability of data on visitor and income flows over the period of study: 2001 to 2014. Secondary data were sourced from the records of the management of both sites. Trends analysis (ratio method) was used to analyze the data. Result showed that there was irregular but overall growth in the number of visitors from 67, 240 to 308,115; and in the volume of income from N10, 581,540 to N317, 105,741 over the period 2001-2014. The average growth rate of number of visitors over the period was 11% while income grew at an average of 37%. Using the average growth rates over the period 2001-2014, number of visitors was projected to grow to 971,099 in 2025 while income is expected to reach N8.3bilion in the same year. The study therefore, concluded that if present socio-political and economic environment is sustained, ecotourism will grow substantially in South-East Nigeria in terms of number of visitors and revenue. It was recommended that local, state and federal governments should continue to pursue policies that promote free flow of travelers to the area.

Key words: Trends Analysis, Ecotourism Sites, Income, Visitor Flow, South-East Nigeria