SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISM ASSETS AND THE CHALLENGES OFTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN IBARAPA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The paper investigated the spatial distribution of tourism assets, importance and the challenges of tourism development in Ibarapa-North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected through field observation, questionnaire administration and oral interview from 300 respondents randomly selected from the three major settlements that housed the tourism assets. Data were analyzed through GIS technique, cross tabulation, pictures and simple percentages. The analysis revealed the presence of randomly distributed assets in the study area  which are classified as natural, religious and cultural. These assets contributions to socioeconomic development of the area were hindered by insufficient information, dearth of infrastructural facilities, poor government intervention on tourism development, insecurity among other factors. Improve tourism development policy and implementation, adequate funding, upgrading of infrastructural facilities, improve security and provision of adequate
information about the tourism assets in the area were recommended to improve their contributions to socio-economic development.