ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURISM POTENTIALS OF GURARA WATERFALLS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Tourism has become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. In Nigeria it is centered largely on events, due to the country's ample amount of ethnic groups, but also includes rainforests, savannah, waterfalls, and other natural attractions. Gurara Waterfalls is one of these tourism sites located in Niger State, Nigeria and it has enormous potentials that can be harnessed for tourism development. This research carried out an assessment on the tourism potentials of Gurara Waterfalls, through identification and analysis of its features and surrounding environment. Interviews, site analysis checklist, observation and Questionnaires were used as primary sources of data collection, and Niger state ministry of lands and housing, internet, google earth technology and Niger state culture and tourism corporation were the sources of secondary data collection. Results shows that Land allocated by Niger State Government for the development of Gurara Waterfalls is 1,105 hectares. The Area is characterised with thick Forest, Animals, combination of undulating and flat topography. The Waterfall is at its peak during the months of June to October in rainy season when the water covers the whole cliff and off-peak period of the Fall is between the month of October and May in dry season. Down the Fall span about 200 metres and a depth of about 50 metres, there are no organised recreational, facilities and services or activity present at the Fall, and some management challenges such as unavailability of tourists’ statistics. SWOT analysis conducted showed that the Location has numerous Strengths, Weaknesses that can be controlled and the Opportunities outweighs the threats making the site a viable location for development of tourism destination