An Assessment of the Ecotourism Potential of Gashaka Gumti National Park in Nigeria

Abstract

National parks have been established in Nigeria to protect, preserve, conserve and manage representative samples of indigenous flora and fauna. This is intended to among other reasons promote ecotourism development in the country. Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) is one of the National parks in Nigeria (the largest in the country) located in the northeast part of the country. This study examined the ecotourism potentials of GGNP. Field observation, interview and questionnaires were used to elicit information from the staff of (GGNP), tourist and enclave communities within the park. Findings from the study show that in past decade (between 2005 – 2015), the park received 6,713 local and 612 international tourists. 33% of the international tourists were from Britain. 269 people (35 indigene and 28 non-indigene) were directly employed by GGNP. About ₦44m ($144,000) was generated as revenue in the park within this period. The comparatively low patronage to the park by both local and international tourists is attributable to the remote location and poor accessibility within the park. The study findings revealed that the huge ecotourism potentials of the park are under-utilized at the moment. Some of the challenges include poor funding, lack of adequate publicity, inadequate infrastructure and recreational facility and activities of poachers. The study recommends improvements in road network to and within the Park and stiffer sanctions to curb poaching.