FROM POTENTIAL TO PLANNING FOR PERFORMANCE: A TOURISM MASTER PLAN PROPOSAL FOR OWU WATER FALL, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Tourism could be a remedy to the present economic recession in Nigeria if well utilized. The imperative roles of the tourism as one of the bedrocks to socio-economic development of any nation cannot be play down. Although some of the tourist centers in Nigeria are not well developed to promote socio-economic development. This study aims at making proposal for a tourism master plan for Owu water fall with a view to ensuring sustainable tourism development. In order to achieve the aim of the study, 400 copies of structured questionnaire were administered to respondents within the host Local Government Area of the State using purposive sampling procedures. Focus Group Discussion and oral interview were used to source information from the residents of the community and the staff of Kwara State Tourism Board respectively. Findings revealed that Owu falls has no socio-economic impact on the host community and huge financial involvement were the major constraint to tourism engagement. Owu-fall does not currently have any infrastructure in terms of good road and other supporting services. Visitors Safety are currently under siege due to high incidence of insecurity threatening larger part of Kwara State particularly Ifelodun LGA. The study recommends that State Governments should give attention to tourist site development by upgrading it to a world class tourist center which will attract people all over the world, public private partnership schemes can be adopted for optimum implementation and management, active community participation should be encouraged and adequate security should be provided in order to cope with the present security threat in the country by providing military base in the area. If all the aboved are well implemented it will be the only way to realize the important roles of tourism is through a well-developed implemented tourism master plan. Conclusion was made that sustainable tourism development is visible and possible if government can just shift a little attention to its development.