Nature Positive Tourism and its Benefits on Sustainable economic development of Tourism in the Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of nature-positive tourism practices and its benefits on the sustainable tourism of the Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria. The research adopts a descriptive survey design to assess current practices, identify key tourist attractions, and evaluate challenges impeding the adoption of nature-positive strategies. A sample of 250 respondents, comprising local community members and tourists, was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, and inferential statistics for hypothesis testing. The findings reveal that nature-positive tourism significantly contributes to the sustainable development of the region by fostering environmental conservation, creating economic opportunities, and enhancing community participation. However, challenges such as insufficient funding and low adoption of renewable energy were identified as barriers. The study concludes that implementing nature-positive strategies can transform the Mambilla Plateau into a model for sustainable tourism. It recommends increased investment in eco-tourism marketing, local engagement, renewable energy promotion, and public-private partnerships to maximize these benefits.