COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT IN SIRIGU, GHANA

Abstract

Tourism/ecotourism has the greatest pro-poor impact on rural communities because the customer comes to the facility/product creating room for direct sell thus fostering the creation of the economic multiplier effect. As a result of overuse of farmlands over the years, yields from agriculture have been dwindling culminating in the phenomenon of “trying livelihoods”in Sirigu. Alternatively,some residents are now taking control of their own destiny by embracing tourism development as a means to enhancing their livelihood. A sample size of 440 respondents was obtained from the community making use of both simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Results analyzed revealed that stakeholders were serious minded about issues regarding the tourism- development nexus. Many women were engaged in tourism related income generation activities and revenue accruing to the community wasquite impressive. The study recommended that a map of the village be availed to visitors to foster private/guided village tours and domestic tourism be encouraged to further boost receipts.