TOURISM AS A
STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF NORTHERN
SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF CROSS RIVER STATE.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Man has unconsciously
engaged in recreational activities right from the ancient age where he wandered
through the dark virgin forest in search of light, shelter and food, to the
renaissance via modern search for novelties and fun (Egbaiji, 2007). As time
went on, development and discoveries came up in leaps and bounds therefore
giving rise to the modern day planned fun-filled human activities. The
development of these activities with western culture is what brought about
tourism as it where today. Over the past decades, tourism has become the
largest industry worldwide in terms of employment and share of global gross
domestic products. The tourism industry has been very dynamic and fast growing
over the past three decades. This sector has so far created opportunities in
areas characterized by natural attractions, wildlife and wilderness habitats.
From the foregoing, it could be observed that a development of these natural
and man made attraction centre serves as a strategy for the development of
their surrounding environment. It is this understanding that informed the Cross
River State government under Donald Duke‟s administration to promote tourism,
to serve as a strategy for sustainable economic development of Cross River
State (Cross River Tourism Bureau Act, 2003). The strength of this vision may
not be far from the positive tourism-driven developments recorded by certain
towns and cities in countries such as US, Britain, Indonesia , South Africa ,
Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Dubai, to mention but a few. In recent times, there
has been a stupendous effort by governments to surge up revenue generation, in
order to meet the ever increasing need for improved standard of living, being
an important indicator of economic development. Cross River State being one of
the less developed states in Nigeria, faces the challenge of financing its
developmental programmes and projects. Thus, the development of tourism by
Cross River State government as a source of revenue and employment generation
became imperative. This paper therefore, anchors on the exploration of the
possibility of employing tourism strategically with a view to fostering
economic growth in the state.
Tourism in Nigeria centers
largely on cultural events, due to the country‟s ample amount of ethnic groups,
but also includes rain forests, savannah, waterfalls and other natural
attractions (Archibong, 2004). In recent times, governments at both federal and
state tiers have made significant impact on tourism development, by solely or
in certain cases partnering with the private sector in special resorts of
international standard for tourist attractions. Some major factors that tend to
inhibit tourism development efforts of the country include poor electricity
supply, deplorable condition of roads, religious intolerance, militancy,
incessant bombings, and kidnappings.
Tourism
destinations in Nigeria Archibong (2004) delineated tourist
sites in Nigeria to include festivals and cultural celebrations (such as Durbar
festivals), national parks (as in old oyo, Yankari and Akamkpa), as well as
other geographical sites (such as Aso Rock). Certain state governments are
currently taking tremendous strides in the area of tourism development in order
to attract foreign nationals, in order to boost foreign investments in the long
run. Examples of tourism destinations established through state governments
effort include Nike Lake resort in Enugu, Obudu Range Resort and Tinapa Resort
in Cross River State, Ibom Meridian and Golf Resort in Akwa Ibom state, just to
mention but a few. Some state governors in Nigeria adopt tourism as a means of
tapping the benefits of globalization, especially in the area of attracting
foreign investors, to boost economic investments in their domain (Akpan, 2011).
Getz (3) defines
tourism planning as: A process based on research and evaluation, which seeks to
optimise the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and
environmental quality. He insists that in planning for tourism, national or
state development plans should be made with tourism in mind. In other words,
industrial and economic planning should be done with tourism in mind. In other
words, “industrial and economic planning should integrate facilities that will
ensure sustainability of the human industry”. On the economic effects of
tourism, John Lea (50) opines that: The primary economic benefits of tourism
are generally regarded as contributions of foreign exchange earnings and the
balance of payments, the generation of employment and of income, the
improvement of economic structure and the encouragement of entrepreneurial
activity.
This study is aimed
at examining an extent to which tourism can enhance sustainable economic
development in Cross River State.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Tourism is a social
activity which involves travel by individual or group to stay outside their
usual environment within a period not too long, for the purpose of satisfying
leisure, business or other needs. Tourism has become a popular global activity.
It brings in large amounts of income in payment for goods and services and
creates opportunities for employment in the service industries associated with
tourism (UNWTO, 2010). The case of Cross River State, Nigeria, in terms of
income generation due to tourism is not different, except by degree or level of
increase. Several other benefits of tourism development which have positive
impact on economic development in the state include among others, the drastic
improvement in the security system, uncommon urban renewal/beautification and
infrastructural spread; improved per capita income level and standard of living
due to employment generation as well as the added value to local resources; the
state being exposed to the outside world, hence, attracting foreign investors
and selected for international sports tournaments. Therefore, the potency of
tourism in stimulating economic development in Cross River State, Nigeria is
not illusive, but real and requires further considerable attention from the
government. It is in the light the above that this study seeks to examine how
tourism can enhance sustainable economic development in Cross River State,
Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The objective of this
study is examine Tourism as a strategy for sustainable
economic development in Nigeria: A Case Study Of Cross River State.
specifically, this study seeks to find out whether:
i. Tourism
has any impact on economic development
ii. Tourism enhance
utilization of both human and non resources in the State.
iii. Tourism
improve foreign and domestic investment
iv. Tourism
improve infrastructural development in the State
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.
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 enable the private and the public sector on how to
investigate on the global investment in Cross River State.
1.5 Research Questions
To
give this study a direction, the following research questions were posed:
i. How
does tourism impact on economic development?
ii. To what extent
does tourism enhance utilization of human and non resources in the Cross River
State.
iii. Does
tourism improve foreign and domestic investment?
iv. How does
tourism improve infrastructural development in the Cross River State
1.6 Research hypothesis
i. There is no
significant relationship between tourism and economic development
ii. There is no
significant relationship between tourism and utilization of human and non
resources in the Cross River State.
iii. There is no
significant relationship between tourism and foreign/ domestic investment
iv. There is no
significant relationship between tourism improve infrastructural development in
the Cross River State
1.7 Scope of the study
This study is
delimited to Cross River State, Nigeria. It is also delimited to the variables
under study.
1.8 Limitations of the study
The major limitation
of the study was time; where the researcher has to combine the research with
her studies. Another limitation was the poor attitude of the respondents
towards responding to the questionnaire item due to mix feeling. However this
will be overcome when the researcher assure the respondents the confident of
their information.
1.9
Definitions of terms
Tourism:
Development:
Sustainable:
Infrastructure:
Human
resource:
Economic:
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