Infrastructural Development as a Veritable Tool for Tourism Development in Ondo State.

Abstract

This study is designed to identify some of the major issues related to investment in tourism infrastructure and the expansion of the economic benefits of tourism in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to randomly selected tourists and indigenes, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), personal observation and Key informant interviews, the data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while secondary data were collected from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in Akure and the staff at the tourism sites. The results revealed that at the three selected sites (Idanre Hills, Oke Maria and Owo National Museum and Monument) 75% of the major tourism supporting infrastructure were not in place. Infrastructure such as power supply, water, entertainment and recreation facilities were lacking at the tourism sites. Other infrastructure such as accommodation, shopping centres, tours and travel agencies were available, but not adequate to meet the tourists’ demands. The study identified the need to upgrade some infrastructures within the selected sites, such as; the road and transportation system and that, the provision of modern tourism supporting infrastructure will assist the government to increase the economic benefits of its tourism industry and meet the increased demand as well as environmental regulations.

Keywords:  Infrastructure, tourism, economic, tourists, indigenes development.