Visualization of Ecotourism potentials of Borgu Sector of the Kainji Lake National Park

Abstract

Decision-making in tourism development and planning is becoming increasingly complex as organisations and communities have to come to terms with the competing economic, social and environmental demands of sustainable development. Geographic Information Systems (GlS) and Visualization is a computer-base, tool for gathering, storing, manipulating, analyzing, and displaying spatial data. GlS therefore, can be regarded as providing a toolbox of techniques and technologies of wide applicability to the achievement of sustainable tourism development. Spatial (environmental) data can be used to explore conflicts, examine impacts and assist decision-making. The study was carried out using ancillary data such as Maps (Topographic and Planimetric maps), as well as attribute data (such as species of fauna and flora existing, their distribution, tourist traffic, facilities available, and scenic inventories) of the park. The study revealed the importance of space information and technology in ecotourism planning and development.The main goal was to develop a simple Geographic Information System(GIS) that would serve as a Decision Support tool for ecotourism planning and development og Kainji Lake National Park(KLNP).