POTENTIALS OF DEVELOPING THE CROSS RIVER STATE NATIONAL PARK AS AN ECOTOURISM RESORT, NIGERIA

The study examines the likely benefits of developing the Cross River State National Park (CRSNP) as an ecotourism resort. The simple random sampling technique was used to select three villages adjourning the national park, 358 respondents across the selected villages were administered copies of questionnaire. In addition, accidental sampling technique was used to sample 17 staff of the park. Data obtained from the administered questionnaire were analysed using tables, frequencies and chi square. The result showed that developing and investing in the CRSNP would bring enormous economic growth in trade and industries, as its development would attract industries, firm and commercial activities to the area. The chi square result revealed that the development of CRSNP as an ecotourism resort result would enhance wildlife conservation and as well as speed up the economic development of host communities (p