THREATS AND CHALLENGES OF TOURISM TO INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN SOME SELECTED TOURISM SITES IN AKWA IBOM, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess tourism activities and the possible threats it may be posing to indigenous culture, human lives and environment at Oron and Itu villages in Akwa, Ibom, Nigeria. Data were collected with pretested and validated questionnaires which were randomly administered to workers traders and inhabitants at the tourism sites. The total respondents were150. Simple frequency and mean score were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that inspite of some confirmed benefits of tourism to host communities, some negative effects, which constitute threats were identified. Some of these threats include; environmental pollution, displacement from farm land, biopiracy of local plants, unfair labour and wages etc. The study made recommendations to the government and stakeholders.