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International Journal of Marine Science 2013, Vol.3, No.33, 258-266
http://ijms.sophiapublisher.com
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Figure 2 Map of Kogi State showing the location of Lokoja
local government area
Note: Source: Kogi State Ministry of Land and Environment,
2008. 1. Yagba East; 2. Yagba West; 3. Lokoja; 4. Mopa amuro;
5. Kabba/Bunu; 6. Ijumu; 7. Okechi; 8. Adavi; 9. Ajaokuta; 10.
Okene; 11. Kogi; 12. Basa; 13. Omala; 14. Dekina; 15. Ofu; 16.
Ankpa; 17. Olamaboro; 18. Idah; 19. Ibaji; 20. Ogori Magongo;
21. Igalamala-odolu
Figure 3 Lokoja confluence beach
Note: Source: Google maps, 2013
4 Research Methodology
Purposive sampling technique was employed to select
tourists for data gathering. This was due to lack of
definite study population or sampling frame to work
with despite the availability of monthly data on
number of tourists. Specifically, 375 questionnaires
were administered to tourists. Field assistants were
engaged and sensitized to administer the questionnaires
and retrieve such from tourists immediately. The
survey was conducted from Monday to Sunday of the
last week in May, 2008 which included a public
holiday in Nigeria. Also, interview was conducted
with the Director of Kogi State Tourism Board and the
General Manager of the Confluence Beach Hotel to
obtain other relevant information. Univariate analysis
of data was carried out with the aid of Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 16.
5 D
iscussion of Research Findings
5.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents
As indicated on Table 1, a few more male visitors
(57.33% of tourists) than female were found among
respondents. This indicated the need for provision of
varieties of beach compatible recreational amenities
without bias for particular sex interest. The middle age
groups of 21-30 years and 31-40 years dominated the
visitors as these groups represent 43.0% and 17.3%
respectively; making up about 60% of the tourists.
The younger of these groups is likely dominated by
single student tourists while the older constitutes
mainly the working and married class with potential to
afford tourism or recreation outside immediate
environment with or without family members. This is
a characteristic of tourist products and consumers (i.e.
the products are income elastic; higher income,
increased consumption or purchases because tourism
depends on disposable income). This equally goes far
in determining the type of amenities needed along the
beach for recreation aside the fact that most would
come sunbathing and game viewing.
The fact that more than 80% of the tourists have a
minimum of secondary school education confirms the
influence of education and enlightenment on tourists’
behaviour. This also implies the need for regular
public enlightenment to attract the uneducated to
tourism and also create awareness (about existing
tourist amenities) for the educated.
As earlier indicated by the dominant age groups, the
tourists were mainly single (58.67%) and married
(33.33%) working class. Furthermore, the data on
occupational status affirms the economic capability of
the tourists as a total of 53.33% of the tourists were