CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ANAMBRA'S TOURISM SECTOR: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT
Keywords:
Sustainable tourism, conservation, eco-friendly practices, hospitality management, environmental sustainability, Anambra StateAbstract
This study examined conservation practices and eco-friendly hospitality initiatives in Anambra State, Nigeria, focusing on the relationship between destination environmental management and sustainable tourism development. Motivated by tensions between tourism growth and environmental sustainability, a cross-sectional survey design was adopted involving 112 stakeholders (hoteliers, government officials, and community leaders) across Ogbunike Caves, Agulu Lake, Igbo-Ukwu Museum, and Ogbaukwu Cave and Waterfall. Data were collected using the Sustainable Tourism Practices and Environmental Management Questionnaire (STPEMQ) and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and one-way ANOVA. Findings revealed moderate conservation effectiveness (M = 3.11) and eco-friendly practice adoption (M = 3.21), with weaknesses in waste management, community participation, renewable energy use, and recycling systems. A significant positive relationship was found between community-involved management and environmental integrity of tourism destinations (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed in perceived cost barriers to sustainability (F(2,109) = 9.87, p < 0.001), with hoteliers reporting stronger financial constraints than other stakeholder groups. The study concludes that despite policy support, including the Anambra State Heritage Tourism Masterplan, implementation at destination and enterprise levels remains limited. Strengthened stakeholder coordination, green financing mechanisms, community-based conservation strategies, and capacity-building programmes are recommended to enhance sustainable tourism development.
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