Salt Lake Tourism Potential and Economic Diversification in Ebonyi State: A Feasibility Perspective

Tourism represents a viable strategy for economic diversification in resource-constrained states, particularly where unique natural endowments have been underutilized as productive economic assets. This study assesses the economic feasibility of developing Ebonyi State's salt lake resources as tourism products capable of supporting state-level economic diversification from 2022 to 2024. The study is anchored on the Economic Base Theory, which posits that exports of goods and services, including tourism, generate income multiplier effects that drive regional economic expansion beyond the tourism sector itself. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting tourists, community residents, government tourism officials, and private hospitality operators in Ebonyi State. A sample of 280 respondents was drawn using purposive and stratified sampling methods. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews served as instruments. Secondary data from the Ebonyi State Tourism Agency supplemented primary findings. Findings indicate that Ebonyi's salt lakes attract an estimated 40,000 visitors annually, yet tourism revenue is grossly undercaptured due to the absence of formal visitor management systems, accommodation infrastructure, and promotional investment. Willingness-to-pay surveys suggest that enhanced salt lake tourism packages could generate over 800 million naira annually under proper development conditions. The study concludes that Ebonyi State's salt lake resources present a credible economic diversification opportunity that is currently being substantially underexploited. It is recommended that the state government develop a targeted tourism investment plan prioritizing infrastructure, marketing, and community participation frameworks.

Keywords: Tourism, economic diversification, salt lake, Ebonyi State, economic base theory