Performance and Visitor’s Satisfaction of Recreation Facilities in Akure Metropolis: A Veritable Tool for Impacts Studies in Undp Mdg’s Cities in Nigeria

Abstract

Performance of recreational centers and level of satisfaction derived by participants are considered as veritable tool to explore the economic and social impacts of recreational activities on the host communities in UNDP MDG’s cities. This research work was undertaken in four of the randomly selected recreation centers in Akure Metropolis through multiple research techniques including site observation, personal communication, questionnaire administration and collection of secondary data. The research was undertaken during the weekends over a period of six months between January and June 2013. It was observed that greater percentage of the participants (80%, 90%, 100% and 71.4%) expressed their willingness to revisit; this is an indication that the satisfaction and purpose of their visits have been achieved. Over 50% of the respondents in all the centres also indicated that the quality of services being provided was good. None of the staff working in any of the centers received less than $1 daily this form part of the target of UNDP MDG to eradicate poverty and hunger by year 2015.While facilities being enjoyed most by the visitors need to be maintained others need to be improved upon and additional ones need to be acquired to boost customer’s patronage. Private and government operators of recreation centers as well as other policy makers in tourism industry will benefit tremendously from this research output in their quest to meet the economic and social needs of their communities.