Integrating Traditional Healing Homes into Ecotourism Development: Assessing Medical Tourist Flows and Soci-Economic Impacts in Cross River State, Nigeria

Publication Details

Publication Date

13/10/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 5 (2026)

Article No.

068

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-P3K4YBAR

Received

04 Sep 2026

Views

17

Downloads

12

Abstract

This study examines the integration of traditional healing homes into eco-tourism development in Cross River State, Nigeria, with a focus on medical tourist flows and their socio-economic impacts on host communities. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining survey data, key informant interviews and secondary records from traditional healing centres between 2020 and 2025. The study reveals a consistent increase in medical tourist inflows, rising from 12,360 to 33,940 visitors, alongside growing participation from other Nigerian states and international destinations. Findings show increases in average length of stay and visitor expenditure, indicating deeper engagement and rising economic contributions. Employment opportunities expanded significantly in informal sectors such as transportation, food vending, herbal product sales and accommodation services. Socio-economic indicators including household income, market expansion, and cultural preservation recorded positive outcomes, although infrastructural development remained limited. Regression results confirm that medical tourist inflow, visitor expenditure, community participation, and institutional support significantly predict socio-economic development (R² = 0.732, p < 0.05). The study concludes that traditional healing homes function as emerging eco-medical tourism assets with substantial development potential, but require structured policy integration and infrastructural support for sustainability.

License

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.