Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (AJEST) ISSN 2136-3468, Vol. 7(3), pp. 285-303, April, 2022. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Characterization and Spatial Distribution of Ethno-Cultural Tourism Resources in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Raouf M. Amed

Community Health Institute, International Management-Health Services Inc.,Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]  

Accepted 3 August, 2017

Abstract 

The paper examined the spatial distribution and characteristics of ethno-cultural tourism resources available in different ethnic communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Survey data were obtained through focus group discussion (FGD) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in each ethnic community. were held with youths, elders and aged. They were purposively selected (because of their knowledge and experience on community perception on ethno-cultural tourism project in their local community over time). The sampled communities are Ham, Fulani, Hausa, Kagoro, Adara and Gbagyi, field observations were also carried out for holistic resource inventory in the ethnic communities. Documentary data were obtained from desk review method; information on tourism resources available in each ethnic community.  The findings of the study reveals that the ethno-cultural resources were characterized into three groups that are made up of archaeological/historical monuments, cultural and festival activities, and artifacts; while the nature based tourism resources were also sub-divided into geomorphic and hydrological features. The result of the nearest neighbour analysis shows that the tourism resources in the selected ethnic communities are distributed in a clustered pattern, In other words, the ethno-cultural resources are clustered in one location or not uniformly distributed all over the communities, hence the development and planning of ethno-cultural tourism resources in the ethnic communities will be much easier and cheaper to develop because of the clustered pattern of the resource. The study recommends that  There is the need for private public partnership (PPP) to foster visible ethno-cultural tourism development projects (tourism potential development, provision of social amenities to enhance competitive advantage and enlightenment campaigns), since the local and state Governments (basically in terms of infrastructural developing and policy issue that will providing an enabling environment for tourism projects to strive) cannot do all or meet all the yearnings of the people.

Keywords: Ethno-Culture, Tourism, Resources, Community, Spatial, Ethnic