ASSESSEMENT OF THE UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM RESOURCE IN IKOGOSI WARM SPRING, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

.This project is concerned with the assessment of the utilization and development of tourism resource in Ikogosi warm springs in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study is an attempt to exploit tourism opportunities in the warm spring centre. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from visitors to the warm spring between first and thirty first of March, 2009. Oral interview and discussions were held with the traditional ruler of Ikogosi Ekiti and some of his chiefs. The manager of the centre, the Director of Ekiti State Tourism Board as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism and Culture were also interviewed. Data from the questionnaire were processed and analysed using inferential t-test; this tool was also used to test two hypotheses. The results were presented in form of tables, percentages, charts and maps among others. The result of Findings the study revealed that Ikogosi Warm Spring Centre is grossly underutilized and underdeveloped. For example, only Nigerians visit the centre which by implication will not generate foreign exchange earning. There is also lack of accommodation to attract tourists while some infrastructures to the centre were absent. Provision of comfortable hotel accommodation, infrastructures and promoting Ikogosi Warm Spring centre were among the recommendations of the study.