INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ PERCEPTION OF ECOTOURISM IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

The presents of ecotourism potentials in Cross River State has caused many scholars in the industry to question why the ecotourism potentials have not been fully explored by people especially the enclave communities within the ecotourism zones. However, two ecotourism zones were used which include Cross River State National Park and Okwangwo and two communities were selected from each zone. Two hundred respondents were used for this study of which fifty questionnaires were randomly distributed to each of the community. The questionnaires were design to capture the people perception of ecotourism and findings revealed that there was a low awareness and knowledge of ecotourism in the area. Besides, majority of the sampled population expressed indifference with regards to ecotourism. Therefore, adequate education on ecotourism most be given to the people especially to communities within the ecotourism zones in Cross River State.