PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The study of the Perception and Attitude of students in the University of Benin towards Ecotourism in Nigeria was carried out in the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. 60% sampling intensity was used to randomly select nine (9) faculties from a total of fifteen (15) faculties in the University. The students were selected based on 0.5% sampling intensity in faculties where the population of students are above 5000 and 1% sampling intensity in faculties where the populations of students are below 5000. A total of two hundred and forty seven (247) copies of questionnaires were administered and retrieved. The results from the study showed that 66.40% of the respondents were aware of ecotourism while 33.60% were not aware of ecotourism. Students of the Faculty of Agriculture were most (18.3%) aware of ecotourism while students of Engineering were least (7.9%) aware of ecotourism. 57.09% of the respondents have visited ecotourism centers while 42.91% have not visited ecotourism centers. The results also revealed that there were significant difference (p<0.05) among the various ecotourism centers visited by the respondents with the highest being Zoological garden with a mean value of 15.7±2.8 while the least was Obudu Cattle Ranch with a mean value of 2.3±0.7. There was also a significant difference (p<0.05) among the various faculties that visited the ecotourism centers. 52.09% visited ecotourism centers with their friends, 22.79% with their relatives, 14.42% visited with groups and 10.70% visited alone. 83.25% of the respondents wanted to visit the ecotourism centers again while 16.75% did not want to visit again. The results also revealed that 78.54% of the students supported the establishment of ecotourism centers in the University while 21.46% do not support. The students’ views and reasons towards supporting the establishment of ecotourism included social activities (42.51%), aesthetic nature of ecotourism (39.27) and wilderness experience (18.22%). The result also revealed significant difference (p<0.05) among the various sources of information about ecotourism. Internet had the highest mean value of 13.1±2.4 while handbills had the least mean value of 3.6±0.4. 68.02% of the students did not want to study ecotourism in higher institution when given the opportunity while 31.98% wanted to study ecotourism in higher institution. Lack of adequate amenities and recreational facilities in Ecotourism sites (46.25%), insecurity (25.69%), state of the economy (20.95%), and Ecotourism sites are not easily accessible (7.11%) were the factors influencing perceptions and attitude towards ecotourism. It was recommended that Ecotourism should be introduced into the curriculum of Secondary schools in order to educate the students on the importance of Ecotourism, and all Universities and other higher institutions should have a mini zoo where the students can visit for their relaxation and to know more about wild animals.