Project – Community-Based Ecotourism and Livelihood Diversification: A Study of Host Communities around Okomu National Park, Edo State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Tourism has increasingly been recognized as an important component of local and regional development because it can generate employment, stimulate small businesses, create markets for local products and provide opportunities for communities to participate in economic activities beyond traditional livelihoods. Within the tourism sector, ecotourism focuses particularly on natural areas and seeks to combine tourism activities with environmental conservation and socioeconomic benefits to local people. Community participation is important to this approach because the sustainability of tourism in protected areas depends partly on whether neighbouring communities perceive tangible benefits from conservation and tourism activities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasizes that protected-area governance and management increasingly require consideration of local communities and their socioeconomic interests, while community-based approaches seek to connect conservation with local development. In the Nigerian context, national parks provide opportunities for nature-based tourism, although the extent to which surrounding communities benefit economically remains an important issue for research (IUCN, 2018; Ajayi & Eveso, 2017).

Community-based ecotourism refers broadly to tourism activities in which local communities have meaningful opportunities to participate in the planning, management, provision of services and distribution of benefits associated with tourism. The approach is based on the proposition that local residents should not merely bear the restrictions associated with protected areas but should also have opportunities to benefit from conservation-related economic activities. This is particularly important in rural communities where households may depend heavily on agriculture, forest resources and other natural-resource-based activities. In a study of Okomu National Park, Digun-Aweto, Fawole and Saayman (2019) found that community participation in ecotourism and conservation was influenced by the distance of communities from the park, demonstrating that spatial proximity and access to tourism opportunities can affect the degree of local participation. Their findings also illustrate why community involvement needs to be considered when assessing the socioeconomic outcomes of protected-area tourism.

Okomu National Park is an important protected area in Edo State and contains significant biodiversity and tourism attractions, including forest elephants, the white-throated monkey and other wildlife resources. The park also possesses tourism infrastructure and attractions that can support nature-based tourism, including facilities for visitors and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Ajayi and Eveso (2017), in their assessment of ecotourism in Okomu National Park, found that visitors were attracted by wildlife and other park features, while ecotourism management strategies included conservation education, tour guides, codes of conduct and eco-lodges. However, the study concluded that ecotourism in the park remained relatively underdeveloped in terms of visitor influx and socioeconomic contribution to surrounding communities. This indicates that the presence of tourism resources alone does not necessarily guarantee substantial livelihood benefits for host communities and that mechanisms for connecting local residents with tourism activities are important (Ajayi & Eveso, 2017).

The relationship between protected-area conservation and local livelihoods is particularly important around Okomu because many surrounding households depend on agriculture and natural resources. Restrictions associated with protected-area management can reduce access to land, forest products and other resources that previously contributed to household livelihoods. Ajayi (2018), in a study of communities living near Okomu National Park, reported that a large majority of respondents perceived limited benefits from living near the park, while challenges included restrictions on access to bushmeat and agricultural land and disturbances associated with wildlife. The findings suggest that conservation policies can create livelihood pressures when local people do not perceive sufficient economic and social benefits from the protected area. Community-based ecotourism can therefore provide one potential mechanism for linking conservation with livelihood opportunities by creating employment, small-business opportunities, tourism services and markets for locally produced goods (Ajayi, 2018).

Livelihood diversification is important because rural households often depend on multiple income-generating and subsistence activities rather than a single occupation. Diversification may involve combining farming with petty trading, food processing, craft production, transportation, guiding, accommodation services, cultural performances, casual employment and other activities. In communities surrounding protected areas, tourism may create opportunities for such diversification by providing new markets and occupations linked to visitors and conservation. Oroka and Ureigho (2021), in their assessment of the Okomu Forest Reserve, found that surrounding communities were strongly engaged in agricultural activities, particularly cassava production and intercropping, while the forest also provided ecosystem services to local communities and farmers. This dependence on agriculture highlights the importance of examining whether ecotourism can complement existing livelihoods rather than simply replace them. Effective community-based ecotourism may provide households with additional income sources while reducing excessive dependence on environmentally sensitive natural resources (Oroka & Ureigho, 2021).

The potential of ecotourism to contribute to livelihood diversification also depends on the extent to which local residents receive actual benefits from tourism and participate in decision-making. Community participation may take several forms, including employment as tour guides and park support staff, operation of accommodation and food businesses, sale of agricultural products and handicrafts, transportation services, cultural activities and participation in community-based conservation programmes. Recent research specifically examining Okomu National Park has identified tangible benefits associated with the park, including agricultural inputs, water supply, educational materials, medical materials, infrastructure and employment opportunities. Olawuyi and Yusuf (2025) reported that host communities received various forms of support and benefits, although employment was reported by a relatively smaller proportion of respondents compared with some community infrastructure and material benefits. This evidence indicates that the economic contribution of Okomu National Park to host communities is multidimensional and requires assessment beyond direct employment alone (Olawuyi & Yusuf, 2025).

Despite the potential contribution of community-based ecotourism to local development, the relationship between tourism participation and livelihood diversification around Okomu National Park remains an important area for empirical investigation. Earlier studies have documented local attitudes, participation, conservation challenges and benefits associated with the park, but the extent to which ecotourism specifically contributes to diversification of household livelihoods requires continued examination. Digun-Aweto et al. (2019) identified differences in community participation according to distance from the park, while more recent research on human-wildlife coexistence around Okomu and Cross River National Parks has emphasized the need to strengthen local socioeconomic benefits and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Similarly, research on support-zone programmes around Okomu found that many households perceived positive effects on their livelihoods, but some respondents indicated that programmes were insufficiently targeted or that communities were not adequately involved in implementation. These findings suggest that the availability of tourism and conservation initiatives does not automatically translate into broad-based livelihood diversification; participation, benefit sharing, access to opportunities and local decision-making may determine the extent of the outcome (Digun-Aweto et al., 2019; Olawuyi et al., 2025; Ohwo et al., 2023).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The establishment of protected areas is intended to conserve biodiversity and protect important ecosystems, but it can also affect the traditional livelihood activities of communities located around such areas. In Okomu National Park, communities that historically depended on agricultural land and forest resources have experienced restrictions associated with conservation. Ajayi (2018) reported that a substantial proportion of households living near the park perceived little or no benefit from the protected area, while restrictions on access to land and forest resources constituted significant livelihood challenges. When conservation restrictions are not accompanied by adequate alternative economic opportunities, households may remain dependent on vulnerable livelihood activities or experience increased socioeconomic pressure. This presents a problem for sustainable conservation because communities that perceive limited benefits may have fewer economic incentives to support conservation objectives.

A second problem concerns the relatively limited socioeconomic contribution of ecotourism to some communities around Okomu National Park. Although the park possesses significant wildlife and tourism attractions, evidence suggests that tourism has historically operated below its potential in terms of visitor numbers and local economic impact. Ajayi and Eveso (2017) found that tourist influx did not significantly influence trade and business activities for a substantial proportion of surveyed community respondents and concluded that ecotourism in Okomu was still at an early stage of development in terms of its socioeconomic contribution. If tourism activities do not generate sufficient demand for local goods and services, opportunities for households to diversify from agriculture and other traditional activities may remain limited. Consequently, the existence of ecotourism resources does not necessarily mean that surrounding communities experience meaningful livelihood transformation.

Another problem is the level and nature of community participation in ecotourism and conservation activities. Community-based ecotourism requires more than the physical presence of local people around a tourist destination; it involves opportunities for residents to participate in planning, decision-making, employment, tourism enterprises and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Research at Okomu has shown that community involvement varies across different activities and that participation can be influenced by the spatial relationship between communities and the park. Digun-Aweto et al. (2019) demonstrated that distance from Okomu National Park was relevant to community participation in ecotourism and conservation. Similarly, research on support-zone programmes reported that although many households perceived positive livelihood effects, some respondents believed that programmes were not adequately targeted and that communities were not sufficiently carried along in implementation. These circumstances raise questions about whether existing participation mechanisms are strong enough to enable local residents to benefit substantially from ecotourism (Digun-Aweto et al., 2019; Olawuyi et al., 2025).

There is therefore a need for location-specific research examining the extent to which community-based ecotourism contributes to livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park. Recent evidence shows that communities receive different forms of benefits from the park, including agricultural inputs, water, educational and medical materials, infrastructure and employment, while studies of human-wildlife coexistence have emphasized the importance of strengthening local socioeconomic benefits and benefit-sharing arrangements. However, the presence of these benefits does not by itself establish the extent to which households have diversified their livelihoods through ecotourism-related activities. There is consequently a need to examine specific dimensions of community-based ecotourism, including community participation, employment opportunities, local enterprise development and benefit-sharing mechanisms, and determine their relationship with livelihood diversification among host communities. Such evidence can help clarify whether ecotourism around Okomu National Park is functioning as a meaningful supplementary livelihood strategy or whether its economic benefits remain limited to particular groups or activities (Olawuyi & Yusuf, 2025; Ohwo et al., 2023).

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between community-based ecotourism and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park, Edo State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. examine the relationship between community participation in ecotourism activities and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park;
2. determine the relationship between ecotourism-related employment opportunities and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park;
3. examine the relationship between local ecotourism enterprise development and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park; and
4. determine the relationship between ecotourism benefit-sharing mechanisms and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What is the relationship between community participation in ecotourism activities and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park?
2. What is the relationship between ecotourism-related employment opportunities and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park?
3. What is the relationship between local ecotourism enterprise development and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park?
4. What is the relationship between ecotourism benefit-sharing mechanisms and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between community-based ecotourism and livelihood diversification among host communities around Okomu National Park, Edo State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to host communities around Okomu National Park because it will provide empirical information on the extent to which ecotourism-related activities contribute to household livelihood opportunities. The findings may help community members identify potential areas for greater participation in tourism-related employment, enterprises and other economic activities.

The study will also be significant to the management of Okomu National Park and relevant conservation authorities. Evidence on community participation, employment, enterprise development and benefit sharing may assist park managers in understanding the socioeconomic dimensions of conservation and tourism management. This is important because research on Okomu has shown that stronger local socioeconomic benefits are relevant to improving human-wildlife coexistence and conservation outcomes.

The study will be useful to government agencies and policymakers responsible for tourism, environmental protection, rural development and community development. The findings may provide evidence for strengthening policies and programmes that link protected-area conservation with local economic development.

The study will also benefit tourism operators and local entrepreneurs by identifying potential areas through which tourism demand can stimulate local enterprise development. Such opportunities may include tour guiding, transportation, food services, accommodation, handicrafts, agricultural-product sales and cultural tourism activities.

Finally, the study will serve as a reference for students, researchers and academics in tourism management, hospitality management, environmental management, geography, rural development and related fields. It may also provide a basis for future research on ecotourism, protected-area management, community participation and rural livelihood diversification in other Nigerian destinations.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on Community-Based Ecotourism and Livelihood Diversification, with particular reference to host communities around Okomu National Park in Edo State, Nigeria.

The independent variable is community-based ecotourism, operationalized through four dimensions:

• community participation in ecotourism activities;
• ecotourism-related employment opportunities;
• local ecotourism enterprise development; and
• ecotourism benefit-sharing mechanisms.

The dependent variable is livelihood diversification, which refers to the extent to which households engage in multiple livelihood activities and income sources rather than depending exclusively on a single traditional occupation.

The study will focus on residents of selected host/support-zone communities around Okomu National Park. It will examine community members’ involvement in tourism activities, access to tourism-related employment, participation in local tourism enterprises and perceptions of benefits received from tourism and conservation activities.

The study is limited to the socioeconomic relationship between community-based ecotourism and livelihood diversification. It will not attempt to assess the complete ecological impact of Okomu National Park or conduct a comprehensive biodiversity inventory.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Community-Based Ecotourism: A form of ecotourism in which local communities participate in the planning, management, provision of tourism services and/or sharing of benefits generated from tourism activities associated with natural and cultural resources.

Ecotourism: Responsible tourism to natural areas that emphasizes environmental conservation, visitor education and socioeconomic benefits to local communities.

Community Participation: The involvement of residents of host communities in tourism planning, decision-making, employment, service provision, conservation activities and other ecotourism-related activities.

Host Communities: Settlements and local communities located around or adjacent to Okomu National Park whose residents interact economically, socially or environmentally with the park.

Livelihood: The capabilities, activities, assets and resources through which individuals or households obtain income, food and other necessities required for living.

Livelihood Diversification: The process through which households combine different occupations, income sources or economic activities to improve livelihood security and reduce dependence on a single source of livelihood.

Ecotourism Employment: Paid or income-generating work directly or indirectly associated with tourism activities, such as tour guiding, transportation, accommodation, catering, conservation support and visitor services.

Local Ecotourism Enterprise: A small or community-based business established to provide goods or services to tourists and other visitors, including food vending, handicrafts, transportation, accommodation, guiding and sale of locally produced goods.

Benefit Sharing: The distribution of economic, material, infrastructural, employment or other benefits generated directly or indirectly through ecotourism and conservation activities among relevant stakeholders, particularly local communities.

Community-Based Enterprise: A business activity owned, operated or substantially supported by individuals, groups or households within the host community.

Okomu National Park: A protected area in Edo State, Nigeria, recognized for its biodiversity and nature-based tourism potential and surrounded by communities whose livelihoods and socioeconomic activities interact with the park.

Project – Community-Based Ecotourism and Livelihood Diversification: A Study of Host Communities around Okomu National Park, Edo State