ABSTRACT
The study investigates the the benefits of the hospitality and tourism industry on the socio economic development of Nigeria using Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research hypotheses. A sample of 200 was selected from the hospitality and tourism industry in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected through a questionnaire and anlaysed using SPSS.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Tourism is viewed as a tool for economic development most especially in the communities where the tourist centres are situated. However, there is little evidence on the research works that depict the role of tourist hotels to local communities’ development which is one of the importanttools for developing a viable tourism industry.(Muganda et al., 2010).Communities form an important element in modern tourism as they are the focal point for supplyinghospitality, catering, food services and transport facilities. Cole(2006) revealed that the service, that is, rest houses, lodges and hotels emerged as a major source of employment during the second half of the twentieth century.
The Cross River State Government has structured out some strategies to implement an integrated tourism master plan that will give a unique tourism favour. If the great plans of the state are implemented, the state will become the pace setter for tourism and hospitality not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa. Employment opportunities and infrastructural facilities will be in abundance in the state.But despite the endowed natural resources and the efforts of Cross River State Government to put tourism sector in a better condition, the state has not been fully maximizing the tourist centres to a profitable level.These festivals have over the years attracted people all over the world from all walks of life. The notable traditional festivals that are celebrated in the state include:Ugep, Boki, Obubra, Ikom and Bekwarra Local Government Areas.
The Cross River State Government has decided to develop tourist centres available in the state in order to put the state in the world tourism map and brings it to global recognition thereby making Cross River State a home away from home through its tourist centres like the Obudu Ranch Resort which has recently been upgraded to an international standard which as well has the following embedded in it: a mini-golf course and a squash hall, a presidential villa,Bebi Airstrip and arguably the longest Cable Car in the world. This has attracted several tourists into the state and has generated revenue and created job opportunities to deserving person. The recreational and the cultural centres in the state havepaved way for employment and contributed to the socio-economic development of the state.
Hotels are important globally as they are usually responsible for the creation of facilities for recreation and entertainment, meeting and conferences and business transmission. The importance of hotels to the economies and societies make it appropriate to transport. Hotels contribute the output of goods and related services which build well-being of their nations and communities. Visitors spend the hotels and contribute the local economies directly and indirectly. When foreign visitors avail the facilities of these hotels the foreign currency is earned through the visitor's payments. Hospitality industry therefore becomes the source of employment. Thousands of jobs are provided to locals as well as foreigners by these hotels in its different occupations. Hotels are also an alternative source for the locals as amenities. This study will provide adequate explanation on the benefits of the hospitality and tourism industry on the socio economic development of Nigeria using Uyo Local Government Area of AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The contributions of tourism and hospitality industry to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, comes with inconsistency of reports and findings as some authors are rather extreme, limited, or myopic in their research, limitations and findings. However, one thing is clear, i.e. that the vast tourism potentials of Nigeria. One of the challenges facing tourism development in Nigeria has the issue of insecurity and insurgencies in some north states as well as ritual kills and kidnapping cases ravaging the nation and painting bad the image of this country on the international community. This is evident as the US consular every year issuing travel advisory to its citizens on the need to avoid certain cities in Nigeria when visiting; labelling such places as prone to violent crimes, kidnapping for ransoms, ritual killings and insurgency issues.
On the other hand, the problem of tourism and hospitality development in Nigeria is the high rate of poverty in the country which however affects the citizens’ access to tourism as over 60% of them are poor and live below $1.00 per day; this is an issue that must be critically solved if we hope for tourism development. This is because; the patronage of recreational facilities would require that the income of the individual (consumer) should be above subsistent level. Ones engagement in tourism, hospitality and leisure activities is as a result of his exposure, the age factor, sex, educational attainment, occupation and social class. It is very unfortunate that urban planning programs found to be befitting in the providing of recreational space have been converted into industrial, commercial and residential plots by unpatriotic government officials. Nigerians are said to be the most widely travelled people on the surface of the earth.
1.3 Research Questions
These are some of the questions the study is designed to answer:
i) What are the economic contributions of the tourism and hospitality industry to the development of the state?
ii) What are the contributions of the tourism and hospitality industry to the employment of the people in the state?
iii) What is the prevalence of the social benefits of the tourism and hospitality industry on the people in the state?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate thebenefits of the hospitality and tourism industry on the socio economic development of Nigeria using Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The specific objectives and are:
i) To identify the economic contributions of the tourism and hospitality industry to the development of the state.
ii) To examine the economic contributions of the tourism and hospitality industry to the development of the state.
iii) To establish the prevalence of the social benefits of the tourism and hospitality industry on the people in the state.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The research hypotheses to be tested include:
i) There is no significant correlation between employment and tourism and hospitality on the people in the state.
ii) There is a significant relationship between social life of the people in the state and tourism and hospitality industry.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is designed toinvestigate the benefits of the hospitality and tourism industry on the socio economic development of Nigeria using Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is also intended to examine the contributions of tourism industry to the economic growth of the state and also investigate the social benefits to the people in the state.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study investigates thebenefits of the hospitality and tourism industry on the socio economic development of Nigeria using Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It will therefore be carried out in the tourist centres in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
1.8 Limitation of the study
Apart from the time constraint, the researcher was faced with lack of capital to print as many as possible questionnaires and. Many respondents were not willing to respond to the questions as the researcher wanted.
1.9 Definitions of Terms
The following terms were used in the course of this study:
Hospitality: The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Socioeconomic development:is the process of social and economic development in a society. Socio-economic development is measured with indicators, such as GDP, life expectancy, literacy and levels of employment.
Tourism:Istravel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours.
REFERENCES
Cole S (2006). Cultural tourism, community participation and empowerment. In M. K. Smith
and M. Robson (eds) Cultural tourism in a changing world: politics, participation and (re)presentation, Cleveland-UK, Channel View Publications.
Edim M. E., Osaji N. N., and Odok E. A. (2012).Socio-Economic Impacts of Tourism on the
Development of Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State.Scientific & Academic Publishing.
Muganda M, Sahli M, Smith KA (2010). Tourism’s contribution to poverty alleviation: A
community perspective from Tanzania. Dev. Southern Afr. 27:629-646.
UKEssays, (2015).The Economic Importance of Hospitality Industry Tourism Essay.
Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/tourism/the-economic-importance-of-hospitality-industry-tourism-essay.php.Accessed on the 12th, September, 2017.
