Abstract

This paper examines the socio-economic determinants of on-day site demand of a national park in Nigeria. The services provided by the park include recreation that correlates positively with stress removal and enhanced productivity. These are not properly understood and appreciated by the people. Neither are the environmentally sound and sustainable development functions it provides. Purposive sampling technique was applied in selecting the respondents and data were collected with a well structured questionnaire. The on-site individual observation Travel Cost Method and Count Data Distributions were applied in estimating the on-day site demand equation. The very active age classes, male gender of middle class income who are highly educated constitute the tourists to the park. The average length of days spent in the park was two and the preference was for booked chalet accommodation rather than open camping. The on-site day recreation (number of days spent in the park) has a negative and significant relationship (p<.01) with recreation cost. Educational level attained has a positive and significant relationship (p<.05) with the number of days spent in the park. Age and income though negative and not significant did not agree with the logic of the elderly and the rich having more tendencies to seek recreation. Infrastructural facilities that will reduce recreational cost and free and functional education need to be put in place. In addition is massive awareness campaign that emphasizes the positive benefits of recreation that engenders good health, enhanced productivity and well being of the environment.

Key words: Socio-economic determinants, On-day site demand, travel cost method, count data distributions, recreation.