INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES REVIEW (IJMSSSR)
Community Participation and Rural Tourism Development in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State
E-ISSN: 2566-7883
P-ISSN: 2782-2448
DOI: https://iigdpublishers.com/article/1685
This study examines community participation and rural tourism development in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State. It investigates participation in planning and decision-making, identifies tourism resources, assesses perceived socioeconomic benefits, examines constraints and tests the relationship between participation and perceived tourism development. The study adopts a descriptive cross-sectional survey design supported by documentary review and proposed key-informant interviews. For demonstration, 200 simulated resident responses are analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, Pearson correlation and chi-square. The illustrative results show a positive relationship between participation and perceived tourism development (r=0.583, p=0.0000) and a significant association between categorical participation and development levels (χ²=20.69, p=0.0000). Bonny possesses important cultural, coastal, heritage and ecological resources, including Finima Nature Park. The study argues that tourism development is more likely to generate local benefits when residents participate meaningfully in planning, implementation, monitoring and benefit sharing. Because the statistical dataset is simulated, all numerical findings must be replaced with actual field results before submission.
Ogan Sonny Sample PhD & Nwaturugu Christian PhD
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216–224.
Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and Power in Social Life. Wiley. Bonny Kingdom. (2014). Bonny Kingdom Master Plan.
Efenakpo, O. D., et al. (2020). Visitors’ profile and avitourism prospects of Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Efenakpo, O. D., et al. (2022). Visitors’ perception on avitourism in Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Finima Nature Park. (2026). About Finima Nature Park and What We Do.
Homans, G. C. (1961). Social Behavior: Its Elementary Forms. Harcourt, Brace & World.
Ijeomah, H. M., & Duke, E. K. (2016). Prospects and sustainability of ecotourism in Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, 8(4).
Jajere, Z. M. (2009). Family Planning and Abortion in the Face of the Shari'ah. Unimaid Journal of Women Studies, 2, 85.
Jajere, Z. M. (2026). FAITH-BASED RESOURCES AND DURABLE SOLUTIONS: ISLAMIC SOCIAL FINANCE AND THE PROTECTION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA. Multi-Disciplinary Research and Development Journals Int'l, 8(2), 1-36.
Jajere, Z. M. (2026). Gender Inequality in Maiduguri: An Islamic Perspective. Spanish Journal of Innovation and Integrity, 51, 23-29.
Jajere, Z. M., & Abdullahi, A. S. (2025). Muslim Women in Environmental Stewardship: Afforestation Initiatives and Socioeconomic Impact in Muslim-Majority Regions Sahel Region of Africa. African Journal of Earth and Environmental Science, 7(1).
