International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue X, October 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Angbashim, Bridget Bitrus1*, Francisca Jacob Dayang2, Tpl Bashayi Obadiah3
1Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnnic, Lafia
2Department of Hospitality Management, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnnic, Lafia
3Department Of Urban and Regional Planning, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnnic, Lafia
Abstract: Tourism is a global scale industry with growing impact on the environment which provides new opportunities. When tourism potentials are developed and managed, they can generate substantial economic benefits to an area without creating any serious environmental or social problems. This research evaluates the prospects of Farin Ruwa waterfall as a tourist attraction for the development of Nasarawa state. The study area was the Farin Ruwa Development Area which was carved out of Wamba Local Government Area of the State. The research targeted local officials and tourism professionals as the population of the study. The sample size of the study is 31. Well-structured questionnaires were randomly administered to the population of the study. Sixteen were explicitly given to the local officials in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and another 15 questionnaires for tourism professionals. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive methods. The results showed that Farin Ruwa waterfall have not been developed and are faced with the problems of infrastructural facilities, and many people are not happy with the present state of the waterfall. It is believed that if the waterfall is developed, it will bring enormous benefits to them. The research recommends that government should put in place a phased-out policy initiative to harness and fast-track the development of this Waterfall instead of the lackluster and slow developmental efforts. The study also recommends Public-private partnerships to encourage and stimulate the development of the waterfalls. In conclusion, Farin Ruwa Waterfall is a unique tourism potential which will become a major tourist attraction when properly planned and developed. This will improve the local economy by creating jobs and business activities thereby improving the living standard of the local communities and also developing the state economically through revenue generation.
Keywords: Tourism, Tourist Attraction, Evaluation, Prospect, Development
I. INTRODUCTION
Tourism development refers to all the activities associated with providing tourist facilities in a destination, whether at the national level or abroad. Sherrif (2005) states that tourism as a foreign exchange earner and saver embraces a broad range of occupations, skills and private sector enterprises that offer opportunities, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises. In some developed and African countries, the prudent management of the hospitality and