Visitors’ Behaviour towards Responsible Tourism and Environmental Concern of Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents findings from an assessment of visitor behavior and environmental responsibility at Agodi Gardens urban green space. Urban green spaces face significant challenges due to environmental degradation from recreational use, such as high foot traffic, off-trail walking, among others. This compromises their ecological integrity and reduces their ability to support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services Research integrated visitor surveys (n=274) with staff interviews (n=9) and managerial input to evaluate responsible tourism practices. The predictors of visitors’ behaviour towards responsible tourism were determined. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive analyses and regression. Majority of respondents were in the age group of 25 to 34 years. Results revealed key demographics: majority aged 25-34 years (58.8% single, 52.6% female). While 90.5% recognized green space importance, only 44.5% consistently avoided littering. Regression analysis identified gender (β=2.950) and environmental awareness (β=1.181) as significant predictors of responsible behavior. The findings demonstrate a critical gap between environmental knowledge and actionable conservation practices, highlighting the need for targeted campaigns to translate awareness into sustainable visitor actions that protect ecological integrity against recreational degradation.