Blue Economy Resources, Community Participation, and Tourism Infrastructure as Predictors of Rural Tourism Development and Livelihood Sustainability in South-East Nigeria (Published)
This study examines the role of the blue economy in promoting rural tourism development and livelihood sustainability in South-East Nigeria. Despite the region’s abundant aquatic resources such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, these assets remain underutilized for tourism development and rural economic transformation. Drawing on Blue Economy Theory, Community-Based Tourism Theory, and Sustainable Livelihoods Theory, the study investigates how blue economy resources, tourism infrastructure, and community participation influence rural tourism development and, subsequently, livelihood sustainability. A quantitative research design was adopted using a cross-sectional survey of 400 respondents drawn from rural communities across five states in South-East Nigeria. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that blue economy resources (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), tourism infrastructure (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), and community participation (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) all have significant positive effects on rural tourism development. Furthermore, rural tourism development significantly influences livelihood sustainability (β = 0.56, p < 0.001) and mediates the relationships between the independent variables and livelihood outcomes. The model explains 61% of the variance in rural tourism development and 31% in livelihood sustainability, indicating substantial explanatory power. The findings underscore the importance of integrating blue economy strategies with rural tourism planning to enhance local economic development. Specifically, the study highlights the need for improved tourism infrastructure, increased community involvement, and sustainable utilization of aquatic resources to drive tourism growth and improve rural livelihoods. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the nexus between the blue economy and rural tourism development in an inland (non-coastal) context, which has received limited scholarly attention. It also offers policy-relevant insights for government agencies, tourism planners, and development practitioners seeking to leverage aquatic resources for sustainable rural development in Nigeria and similar developing economies.
Keywords: Community Participation, South East Nigeria, blue economy, livelihood sustainability, rural tourism development, tourism infrastructure