Obudu Cattle Ranch: A Tourist Destination in Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of tourism has made a positive and significant change to countries in recent times, as well as in communities and the society at large. It is therefore, one of the contributors to the economy of many countries as well as Nigeria. Obudu cattle ranch has contributed maximally to the development of Cross River State and indeed Nigeria.  The ranch has provided an avenue for many people, organizations and countries to host activities within the Obudu community. There are many hotels in Obudu today, which serve as a part of development of tourism activities.  This and other activities being carried out in turn bring economic growth and development to both the individuals involved and the government of Nigeria. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of Obudu cattle ranch as a tourist destination in Nigeria. The method adopted in this paper includes a review of previous literature as a method of data collection. The findings thus reveals that, tourism activities in the cattle ranch has brought development to the Obudu community and also created an avenue for foreign exchange earnings for the government of Nigeria and the people who are engaged in the field of tourism therein. The paper recommends, the cattle ranch should serve as a positive example to other states in Nigeria which have neglected the development of tourism activities in their various states where such potentials are wasting. It also recommends the development of such tourism activities in other countries in Africa where the potentials are also neglected.

Keywords: Obudu community, Obudu cattle ranch, Hotels, Tourism and Nigeria.