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International Journal of Marine Science 2013, Vol.3, No.33, 258-266
http://ijms.sophiapublisher.com
258
Research Article Open Access
Performance Assessment of Lokoja Confluence Beach as a Tourist Site in Kogi
State, Nigeria
Samuel Oluwaseyi Olorunfemi
1
, Adebayo Adewunmi Emmanuel
2
1. Department of Transport Management, School of Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
2. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
Corresponding author email: bayoemmanuel@gmail.com
International Journal of Marine Science, 2013, Vol.3, No.33 doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0033
Received: 05 May, 2013
Accepted: 03 Jun., 2013
Published: 12 Jun., 2013
Copyright
©
2013 Olorunfemi and Emmanuel, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article:
Olorunfemi and Emmanuel, 2013, Performance Assessment of Lokoja Confluence Beach as a Tourist Site in Kogi State, Nigeria, International Journal of
Marine Science, Vol.3, No.33 258
-
266 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0033)
Abstract
Beach tourism is a global phenomenon mainly in coastal areas of countries with unique and favorable shorelines.
However, certain inland waterways serve same purpose of beach tourism. This research (as its objectives) exposes the condition of
amenities, identifies associated socio-economic benefits and reveals problems confronting the Lokoja Confluence Beach in Kogi
State, Nigeria. A survey design (with the aid of questionnaires and interview guide) was employed to obtain data from tourists,
managers of the Confluence Beach and government officials at the State Tourism Board. Purposive sampling technique was adopted
to select respondent tourists. Univariate analysis was employed to obtain relevant information from collated data. The research
findings revealed the existence of a few functional amenities and some uncompleted facility projects; diverse economic benefits to
residents; problems of petty crime, diversion of funds and poor sensitization. Recommendations include provision of supplementary
funds by the three tiers of government, development of strategic policy on marketing/sensitization and provision of amenities for
indoor games close to the beach front.
Keywords
Beach tourism; Confluence beach; Tourism potential; Lokoja; Nigeria
1 Introduction
Tourism refers to the temporary movement of people
away from their usual place of abode to another
location for relaxation and leisure purpose (WTO,
2001; Bookman, 2006; Chiang and Song, 2008). In
recent years tourism has become an important factor
in the world trade and a major element in the balance
of payment of many countries. For countries, regions,
towns and villages which attract tourists in large
numbers, tourism could be a driver for their
socio-economic prosperity. Tourism generates wealth
and employment. It is a major source of income and
employment for individuals in many places endowed
with natural resources which cannot readily contribute
to the standard of living in an area, unless through the
process or medium of tourism (Burkart and Medlik,
1974).
Several seminars, workshops and conferences have
been held to discuss and assess the benefits of tourist
development in Kogi state, Nigeria. However, the
potentials of the Confluence Beach in the city of
Lokoja for socio-economic development of the state
and individuals have not been given much attention.
Both govern
ment and the private sector
have not
harnessed the potential of the capital city, Lokoja (for
tourist development); a potential inherent in the
confluence nature of rivers
Niger and Benue at this
location. This is revealed by the lack of well-developed
holiday resorts, thereby resulting in loss of revenue,
which should accrue to the state in addition to
improving the living standard of the residents. Apart
from the existence of other natural tourist attractions
within the state, the uniqueness of the C
onfluence
Beach constitutes a great advantage to tourism
development in the state and the nation at large. Water
tourism is presently being developed by a neighbouring
state, Ekiti but with specific focus on springs and
waterfalls. Further development of the Confluence
Beach in Kogi State will provide a blend of tourism
activities within the region.
The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the
level of development of Lokoja Confluence Beach