Abstract:
Local community participation has been identified as a key factor in tourism
development globally. This study sought to explore the participation of local people
of Wli Traditional area in ecotourism. It further assessed the extent to which local
people benefit from ecotourism activities in the area, while the efforts made by the
local Tourist Management Team and other relevant authorities to empower local
residents for maximum participation were also assessed. The study was a Case Study.
Hence, instruments used to collect data were Interviews and Observation. Data
collected were analysed based on the Qualitative approach under classified themes to
reflect the objectives and purpose of the study. The theoretical framework upon which
this current study is built is the Social Exchange theory. The study established that,
only a handful of local residents were actually involved in ecotourism activities in the
Wli Traditional area. They engage rather in other economic activities like farming.
Only few people benefited from the revenue generated. Ignorance of economic
opportunities, low level of formal education, inadequate financial support and
dominance by the Local Tourist Management Team over ecotourism activities were
some factors that hampered effective local participation. Skill training and facilitation
programmes should be consistently organized to equip local residents. Further, a free
flow of worthwhile information should exist between local people and people who
represent them on the Tourist Management Team.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Social Studies Education, Faculty of Social
Sciences Education, Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of
Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for award of the
Master of Philosophy (Social Studies) Degree.
JULY, 2015