INFLUENCE OF WATERFALLS AS TOURIST DESTINATIONS ON THE LIVELIHOOD OUTCOME OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Waterfalls offer scenic attractions which are exploited in most instances as tourist destinations to diversify livelihood activities. However, the extent to which waterfalls as tourist destinations contributes to the livelihood outcome of rural households has not been adequately documented. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of waterfalls as tourist destinations on the livelihood outcome of rural households in Southwestern Nigeria.

Sustainable livelihood approach was adopted as the framework of the study. Multistage sampling procedure was used. Osun and Ekiti states were purposively selected for the study due to the presence of renowned waterfalls. Simple random sampling was used to select 312 respondents from five communities within 10km radius of the waterfalls [Olumirin (110), Ayikunugba (101) and Arinta (101)]. Interview schedule was used to collect data on respondent’s socio economic characteristics (age, household size, years of residence and educational attainment), livelihood status (livelihood assets, livelihood activities and livelihood abilities), perceived effects of waterfalls on economic growth, socio-cultural values and environmental conservation as well as derived benefits from waterfalls, constraints to the use of waterfalls and livelihood outcome (improved food security, reduced vulnerability and more sustainable use of natural resource base). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA and logit regression at ∝_0.05

Respondents’ mean age was 40.5±16.5 years with a mean household size and years of residence of 6.1±3.3 and 24.0±19.2, respectively. Also, 78.5% of the respondents were married and 87.5% were literate. Most (63.1%) of the respondents had low livelihood assets, activities (52.6%) and abilities (61.5%). On the overall, 59.6% had low livelihood status. More than half (59.6%) of the respondents perceived waterfalls to have less effects on economic growth, while 53.8% and 51.3% perceived that waterfalls had more effect on socio-cultural values and environmental conservation, respectively. Maintenance of biodiversity (2.98±1.30) and preservation of cultural values (2.94±1.22) were major benefits derived from waterfalls. Lack of financial capital to invest in tourism business (1.67±0.65), insufficient employment opportunity in tourism (1.66±0.61) and seasonality of tourism activities (1.61±0.73) were constraints to the use of waterfalls for livelihood. Most (75.0%) of the respondents were food secure, while 52.6% were more vulnerable to livelihood shocks and 53.5% had low sustainable use of natural resources. On the overall, 57.7% of the respondents had low livelihood outcomes. Age (r=-0.183), years of residency (r=-0.163) and livelihood status (r=0.126) were significantly related to livelihood outcomes. Livelihood outcomes varied significantly across the waterfalls destinations (F=13.73) and was higher in Arinta waterfalls (F(13.73)=46.8), than Olumirin (F(13.73)=40.5) and Ayikunugba waterfalls (F(13.73)=34.3). Perceived environmental effects (β=1.194) and perceived socio-cultural effects (β=1.175) of waterfalls, livelihood assets (β=0.710), household size (β=-0.131) and benefits of waterfalls (β=0.089) were determinants of livelihood outcome.

Socio-cultural effects of waterfalls as well as livelihood assets increased livelihood outcome, while environmental effects of waterfalls and household size reduced livelihood outcome of rural households around waterfall destinations in Southwestern Nigeria. Therefore, there is a need to improve the livelihood assets of rural households around waterfall destinations and create environmental awareness on sustainable use of natural resources.