Tourism-Driven Rural Development and Environmental Sustainability in Cross River State, Nigeria: Assessing Infrastructure development and Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Cross River State
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The study accessed Tourism-Driven Rural Development and Environmental Sustainability in Cross River State, Nigeria: Assessing Infrastructure Policies and Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Cross River State. The study examined key rural development interventions including rural infrastructural development and poverty alleviation, with particular emphasis on their relevance to tourism development and environmental conservation. The target population comprised residents of selected communities across the three education zones of Cross River State, while a sample was drawn using stratified and accidental sampling techniques to ensure adequate representation of respondents. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Rural Development Programmes and Environmental Sustainability Questionnaire (RDPESQ)”. Data obtained were analyzed using simple regression at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study revealed that all the rural development programme variables exhibited relatively high mean values, indicating widespread implementation and perceived relevance within the study area.. Hypothesis testing results revealed that there is a significant relationship between tourism oriented rural development programmes such as Infrastructure development and Poverty Alleviation and environmental sustainability in Cross River State. These findings imply that effective implementation of rural development programmes can enhance environmental quality, preserve natural attractions, and support sustainable tourism development in the study area. The study concluded that tourism-oriented rural development programmes such as Infrastructure development and Poverty Alleviation play a critical role in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the viability of tourism resources in Cross River State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommended among other that poverty alleviation initiatives should incorporate environmental sustainability components, such as training on sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation, to empower rural
communities. This can help reduce poverty while promoting environmental sustainability
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