SSAAR (JHSPR); Journal of September, 2023 Human, Social & Political Science Research 1 | Page Editions COMMUNITY PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT AT THE TOURISM CORRIDOR SITES OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA O. M. AJAYI; & S. O. OJO Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Abstract Ecotourism is a nature based tourism that enlightens the local community to support protection and conservation efforts which eventually lead to its developments. The local residents act as stewards of the site, their support is essential, which emphasizes a need to understand the perception and attitude of local communities towards ecotourism development. This study examined the community perception, support and attitudes towards ecotourism development at the tourism corridor sites of Ekiti State. Questionnaires survey and Interviews were the main means of inquiries employed in this study and the data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that tourism-related benefits have been limited thus far as indicated by 35% and residents have had to cope with reduced access to resources since the site was established. Nevertheless, community residents generally support conservation and are optimistic that tourism growth at the sites will generate economic benefits for the communities. Keywords: Ecotourism Development, Perception, Attitude, Tourism Corridors, Resident Introduction In the face of increasing environmental destruction, ecosystem degradation, habitat disappearance and biodiversity decline, most nations have made efforts to protect some portion of their remaining natural spaces (Woodley, 1999). At the same time, competition for often scarce resources is making it increasingly difficult for governments to rationalize the allocation of large areas of land and water for protection. Additionally, there have been widespread government financial constraints with environment-related programmes and initiatives often being the first to be chopped off. Government-run conservation agencies are now facing budget constraints in many places (Loon and Polakow, 2001). In the world, various countries are looking for alternative means of sustaining their economy to reduce the level of poverty, and environmental degradation as the population increases Nigeria is solely dependent on her petroleum resource for revenue, Journal of Human, Social & Political Science Research. Vol.29, No.6, ISSN:2416-7999 Sub-Sahara African Academic Research Publications September, 2023 Editions