ABSTRACT
Why is tourism not developed in Anambra state, despite enormous tourist attractions? Who manages tourist attractions in Anambra state? Public–private partnerships (PPPs) seem to offer a lot of hopes in providing efficiency where government management is not good enough. Some African nations have turned to PPP to solve troublesome developmental issues. Although some scholars have accused PPP of coming with mixed benefits, but, it ensures productive output and increases in infrastructural development. Unfortunately, there is paucity of literature on PPP and ecotourism development in developing nations like Nigeria. Therefore, the study aims to know the possibility of using PPP to develop ecotourism attractions in southeastern Nigeria, using Anambra State as reference point. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative method. The former entails selection of key informants in selected communities, namely, Amaokpala, Agulu, Owerrezukalla, Ufuma, Ogbunike, Awka, Okpeze, Ndiukwuenu, 134and staff of related ministries. The quantitative aspect entails using a total of 480 questionnaires distributed randomly across these communities. The study revealed that most of the ecotourism attractions in Anambra State are not developed due to meager state resources, shortage of tourism experts, and government poor attention to tourism sector tourism sector. Furthermore, these communities accepted that PPP is the best strategy to develop natural attractions in their communities; this was collaborated by results from related ministries. The chapter thus argues that to develop ecotourism attractions in Anambra State, PPP is one of the methods that will be used and accepted by these communities; second, the host communities believe that it will ensure sustainable development, whereas staff of related ministries are of the view that it will augment government poor attention and funding to tourism development in the state. Therefore, the PPP agreement must be economically beneficial, culturally acceptable, and environmentally compatible to ensure sustainability. The study is of immense benefit to tourism stakeholders, policymakers, and invaluable to the academic world.
