CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIALS OF MOUNTAINS AND HILLS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN EKITI STATE SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This research assessed potential of mountains and hills for the development of tourism in Ekiti State. Specifically, the research identified, mapped and documented mountains and hills of touristic values in the State, identified the plans, policies, and strategies of Ekiti State Government towards mountains and hills tourism development, developed clusters for mountains and hills tourism, determined communities and visitors’ perceived values of the potential of mountains and hills tourism in Ekiti State, determined communities and visitors’ support and willingness to participate in mountains and hills tourism development in Ekiti State, and finally identified the potential challenges to mountains and hills tourism development in Ekiti State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 500 respondents from 27 communities and 384 visitors from 12 tourists’ destinations in Ekiti State. Both primary and secondary data were collected using questionnaire, interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Spatial data were collected using Global Positioning System (GPS). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation while inferential statistical tools such as t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed 59 mountains and 245 hills of touristic values in the selected communities. In addition, finding revealed that the presence of various mountains and hills in the State provided the development of clusters within the communities. There was statistically significant difference between community residents and visitors perceived values of mountains and hills tourism (t=5.84, p<0.01). Secondly, there was no plans, policies, strategies towards mountains and hills tourism development in Ekiti State. Thirdly, there was significant relationships between socio-demographic characteristics of communities and visitors and their perceived values of mountains and hills (p<0.01). From the identified mountains and hills in the selected communities, the study developed clusters for mountains and hills tourism in the State. Also, relationships existed between communities, visitors’ perceived values of mountains and hills and their areas of willingness to support and participate in it (p<0.01). Furthermore, intrinsic value (Mean =5.13) had the highest perception by the communities while the use value had the highest perception by the visitors. Also, 82.0 % of the communities were in support of mountains and hills tourism development while 74.7% of the visitors were in support. The study further revealed that the highest area of communities participation in mountains and hills tourism was involvement in planning process (Mean=3.16) while spreading of awareness was the highest potential participation by visitors. The study also identified capital intensive nature of mountains and hills tourism project as the highest challenge (Mean-3.66) while it was security and safety of visitors and local communities by visitors (Mean=3.32). The study concluded that, the government of Ekiti should partner with the interested individuals and private sectors to develop mountains and hills of touristic values in Ekiti communities while adequate funds should be provided for communities to establish mountains and hills tourism businesses within the areas to boost local economic growth and development immediately the sites are fully established for tourism. Keywords: Mountains and Hills, Perceived values, Developing clusters, Support and Willingness, Tourism Development. Word count = 496