The Influence of Ikogosi Warm Spring Tourist Centre on Economic Development of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Over the years it has cut through human developments to economic development of regions, nations and the world at large. Tourism generates wealth and employment. It’s served as a major source of income and foreign exchange earners for countries. The Ikogosi-Ekiti warm spring tourist centre is a tourist destination; it offers numerous values ranging from historical, environmental monuments and rich cultural heritage of the people. It’s a wonder to behold. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the Ikogosi cold/warm spring tourist resort on community development, with a view to enhancing the economic development of the host community. This study adopted a survey research method and used four different sets of questionnaire to collect research data from the household heads, tourists, staff of Ikogosi tourism centre and the Ekiti state tourism board. The findings among others revealed that the Ikogosi warm spring tourist centre lack adequate network coverage and transportation problem. However the study compels government to encourage private partnership in tourism industry; and therefore calls for public enlightenment to be given to the host community on the usefulness to be hospitable and polite to tourists.

Keywords: Ekiti-State, Ikogosi-Ekiti warm spring, Tourism, Tourist centre.