socio-cultural impact of tourism in Cross River State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the study

Community-based festivals and events, are becoming more popular and, subsequently, more numerous. They encompass a diverse range of themes from the specific, food and wine, through to multi-faceted celebrations, such as multicultural festivals. Characteristically, they Originate within the community in response to a need or desire to celebrate their unique identity (Douglas, Douglas, & Derrett, 2001, p. 357). They may be defined as “themed public occasions designed to occur for a limited duration that celebrate valued aspects of a community’s way of life” (Douglas et al, 2001, p. 358). They are usually small in scale and attendance, and represent the point “where community and its outward manifestations of image and identity collide” (Derrett, 2000, p. 120).

Tourism is identified as an effective way to revitalise the economy of any destination as noted by Long (2012) and widely acknowledged as one of the fastest growing industry globally (Lanza and Pigliaru, 1999; Raymond, 2001; Newsome et al, 2002; Basu, 2003, Ozgen, 2003;Chockalingam and Ganesh, 2010; Jennie, 2012). The continuous and rapid growth of tourism is not in isolation of the stable economic growth experienced in the global economy, which lasted from the mid-1990 to 2007. This growth has facilitated increased global disposable income, demand for leisure, and this combined with the global economic restructures in response to globalization that ensured competition in global tourism industry and drastic reductions in travel costs. Thus, tourism has become a major source of economic growth, employment, earnings, and foreign exchange for many countries (Vaugeois, 2000; Basu, 2003) and considered by developing countries as a main source of development and growth for local economies (Hodur et al, 2005; Haller, 2012). However, while the growth in tourism owes itself to global economic growth, it is also a fact that tourism has contributed immensely to the growth of the global economy. Indeed, Ozgen (2003) acknowledged that the tourism industry has grown into a major component of the global economy and has become highly developed. In this vein, Nigeria is looking to tourism as a possible alternative income earner (Uduma-Olugu and Onukwube, 2012) and it is believed, as averred by Ajao (2012) that if Nigeria gets its tourism sector right, tourism will serve as an employer of labour besides agriculture.

Given the definition of tourism by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) as an activity involving the travels of persons to places outside their usual environment for not more than once for leisure, it is indicative of how such activities may benefit host and local economies and communities. Indeed, tourism has a range of benefits both to the individual tourist, tourism organizations, and the local economies and communities in terms of employment, income, and enhancement to the quality of life (Besculides et al, 2002; Oh, 2005). For some major tourist destinations, tourism has become a major alternative form of commodity export and a significant source of foreign exchange that allows internal and external trade balances to be reconciled.

Tourisms, which brings individuals and human communities into contact, and through them cultures and civilizations, has an important role to play in facilitating dialogue among cultures. Tourism also have the capacity to assist the world’s inhabitants to live better together and there contribute to the construction of peace in the minds of men and women, to paraphrase the constitution of UNESCO (2006).

        Cultural and natural heritage, that attracts so many tourists, and is a resource for development, is, fortunately, distributed throughout the world, thus providing an additional opportunity for many non-industrialized countries. Raising awareness, educating and training the staff concerned, is essential in involving communities in the process of conserving the staff concerned; is essential in involving communities in the process of unserving and enhancing their heritage. It is the involvement of all, that will enable the heritage of humanity to be better preserved, livings conditions to be improved and poverty reduced. Preserving cultural and natural heritage to bring it within reach of all, making cultures and civilization better known, improving daily living conditions and reducing poverty, is what gives meaning to the sustainability of tourism development.

Forces of geographical transformation are nowadays acquiring new dimensions, properties

and directions, invariably reflected and imprinted upon the societies they affect. Social scientists and

scholars of several provenances and affiliations have long been negotiating processes of spatial

change, the unfolding “new cultural economy of space” (Terkenli 2002, Terkenli and d’Hauteserre 2006). The “new (global) cultural economy of space” is conceptualized as a cultural but still very much profit motivated, in the broader sense of the term, renegotiation of space. It constitutes a socio cultural negotiation and interpretation of newly emerging spatial patterns, relationships and impacts (Terkenli 2006). Places and landscapes have always been organized on the basis of specific cultural economies of (time-space. The much debated novelty of most of these forces, factors and processes of change notwithstanding, contemporary change is occurring at a much more rapid pace than in the past. It often materializes in new forms and shapes; it generates new mental, affective and symbolic schemata. Most importantly, however, it develops structures and functions of spatial organization that transcend previous sectoral interconnections around the globe, as in the markedly uneven functional integration of globally dispersed activities and networks. As such, it especially applies to tourism.

Though present for at least several decades, these tendencies (internationalization, integration, networking, etc) are of a qualitatively different nature than in the past. As capital seeks ever more locations where to raise profits, processes of this new cultural economy of space affect all Western, at least, world, but they appear most strikingly in contemporary tourist destinations.

In the context of tourism studies and social sciences, this article addresses the ongoing need to assess the impact of tourism on local societies, so far not adequately investigated in a qualified way, at specific geographical locations.

        The negative impacts of tourism are, by no means, inevitable. Tourism can have positive and lasting effects on our cultural and natural heritage, on creativity and cultural diversity, and on the environment and balance of societies.

So much have been written on the impact of tourism on socio-economic development. While tourism impact positively on the national development, it may also impact positively or negatively on the socio-cultural development of the host communities. It is on this background that this study seeks to investigate the socio-cultural impact of tourism in Cross River state with particular emphasize on Boki New yam festival and alobey festival.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Cultural tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing global tourism markets. Culture and creative industries are increasingly being used to promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. Many locations are now actively developing their tangible and intangible cultural assets as a means of developing comparative advantages in an increasingly competitive tourism marketplace, and to create local distinctiveness in the face of globalisation. The Impact of Culture on Tourism examines the growing relationship between tourism and culture, and the way in which they have together become major drivers of destination attractiveness and competitiveness.

Nigeria's cultural heritage is woven from threads of history and diversity, legend and conquest. Tourists visiting the country will gain insights to a glorious past as well as a promising future, set amid the natural beauty of this diverse country.

Nigeria is a vast country with a population of about 140 people covering about 923,768 sq.km of landmass, located wholly within the tropics. The country aptly described as the 'Giant of Africa' and the Heart of Africa is richly endowed with ecological and cultural resources, which are of universal recognition. The richness and diversity of the Nigeria culture is a manifestation of the socio-cultural differences of the over 250 ethnic groups that inhabit the land for ages.

Tourism is one of the growing sectors of the Nigerian economy. The industry was accorded priority status in 1990 when the National Tourism Policy was launched. The main thrust of Government policy on tourism was to generate foreign exchange earnings, create employment opportunities, promote rural enterprises and national integration, among other things Nigeria High Commission (2013).

In recognition of the immense contributions of tourism to the national economy, the country's Vision 2010 set year 2005 as the nation's year of tourism. The obvious implication of this development is that tourism policies and programmes will now be aimed at making Nigeria the "Ultimate Tourism Destination in Africa". While enjoying all the development that tourism bring, the researcher deemed it fit to also examine the socio-cultural impact of tourism in Cross River State: a case study of Boki alobey festival.

1.3 Research objectives

        This research study is amongst others aimed at ascertaining the socio-cultural impact of tourism in Cross River State. Specifically, the study is aimed at examining whether:

i.             tourism contribute to Commercialization of local culture.

ii.           tourism lead to Cultural deterioration in Cross river State.

iii.         tourism contribute to urban relocation among community dwellers

iv.         tourism development enhance cultural commoditization

1.4 Significance of the study

        The significance of this study lies on the application of its finding for operational actions. Given the relevance, this study seek to interalia provide  answer to research hypotheses stated below.

            Besides the research will provide government guide for effective identification of tourism potentials and its development.

The study will among other things provide solution to the long neglect by government of valuable cultural elements abounding in the state.

        This materials will be very useful for policy makers, tourism bureau and would-be researchers on this area of study.

        The study will help in enlightening masses of the importance of cultural practice. It will also enable the private and the public sector on how to investigate on the global investment in Cross River State.

1.5 Research questions

        The following research questions were posed to give this study a direction:

i.             How can tourism contribute to lost of cultural value?

ii.           How does tourism enhance social development?

iii.         How does tourism encourage urban relocation among community dwellers?

iv.         To what extend does tourism enhance cultural commoditization?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

        The following hypotheses were formulated to provide answer to the research questions:

i.             There is no significant relationship between  lost of cultural value and tourism.

ii.           There is no significant relationship between social development and tourism.

iii.         There is no significant relationship between urban relocation and tourism development

iv.         There is no significant relationship between cultural commoditization and tourism development?

1.7 Scope of the study

        This research work restricted to Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The researcher decided to used these Local Government Areas because it is endowed with enormous tourism potentials which attracts a lot of people to the areas.

1.8 Limitations of the study

The major setback for this study will be the poor attitude of the respondents towards responding to questionnaire items due to mixed feelings. But this will be overcome since the researcher will assure them of their information confidentiality.

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