Infrastructure Capitals and Community Transformation in Tourism Destinations of Southwest Nigeria

The study analysed the influence of tourism infrastructure on community transformation in Southwest Nigeria. One most prominent tourism destination was purposively selected from each state of six; Oyo - Agodi Gardens, Ogun - Olumo Rock, Osun - Osun Osogbo Groove, Ondo - Idanre Hills, Ekiti – Ikogosi Warm Springs, and Lagos - National Theatre. Data were collected with the aid of interview guided questionnaire. Information on distribution of Infrastructure capitals and community transformation across the states in Southwest Nigeria were collected from respondents. Variables were measured with the use of 4-point scale on odd number continuum from 0 to 5 (putting the minimum at 0, maximum 5) (sustainably transforming (ST) - 5, fairly sustainably transforming (FST) - 3, minimally sustainably transforming (MST) - 1, and not (NST) sustainably transforming - 0). Systematic random sampling technique (with interval of 20) was employed to select 30 residents from each destination, giving a total of 180 respondents. The results revealed social factors had Cronbach’s Alpha values of social (0.799) with variance 10.310%; political factors (0.811) with variance 9.237%; natural factors (0.781) with variance 9.103%; economic factors (.614) with variance 10.117%; physical factors (.749) with variance 10.312%; human factors (0.721) with variance 10.003%; and cultural factor (0.611) with variance explained as 9.041%. The results further revealed that social capital (β = 0.164; p<0.05); physical (β = 0.174; p<0.05); human (β=0.184; p>0.05); and natural capital (β=0.159; p<0.05) showed significance with community transformation. However, economic capital (β=0.113; p>0.05); political factors (β=0.181; p>0.05); and cultural factor (β=0.130; p>0.05) showed no significant prediction but all had t values greater than 1. Infrastructure capitals (social, physical, and natural) had significant relationship with community transformation. It is recommended that provision of infrastructure capital should be commensurable across board to give a worthwhile development, since all the capitals were significant to community transformation.